Ensign, John Sparks. Received 1lth November, 1775, per Joseph Ellis, Esq. Commissions filled up 12th November, 1775, per S. T.

Second Captain, Joseph Braerly, Esq.; First Lieutenant, Thomas Yard; Second Lieutenant, Jonathan Phillips; Ensign, Thomas Ryerson. Received 20th November, 1775, per John Mehelm, Esq. Commissions filled up 21st November, 1775, per S. T.

Third Captain, James Lawny, Esq.; First Lieutenant, John Hollingshead; Second Lieutenant, James Ashmore; Ensign, Samuel Hendry. Received 27th November, 1775, per John Mehelm, Esq. Commissions filled up 28th November, 1775, per S. T.

Fourth Captain, William Shute, Esq.; First Lieutenant, Henry Freese; Second Lieutenant, Jeremiah Smith; Ensign, William Panet. Received 29th November, 1775, per Joseph Ellis, Esq. Commissions filled up 29th November, 1775, per S. T.

Fifth Captain, Richard Howell, Esq.; First Lieutenant, John Noble Gumming; Second Lieutenant, Seth Bowman; Ensign, Samuel Naglee. Received 29th November, 1775, per Joseph Ellis, Esq. Commissions dated 30th November, 1775, per S. T.

Sixth Captain, John Budd Scott, Esq.; First Lieutenant, James Maxwell; Second Lieutenant, John Higgins; Ensign, Francis Dulloss. Received 9th December, 1775, per John Mehelm, Esq. Commissions dated 11th December, 1775, per S. T.

Seventh Captain, Joseph Stout, Esq,; First Lieutenant, Samuel Reading; Second Lieutenant, Ephraim Anderson; Ensign, Aaron Lane, Jun. Received the 18th December, 1775, per John Mehelm, Esq. Commissions dated 18th December, 1775, per S. T.

Eighth Captain, Archibald Shaw, Esq.; First Lieutenant, Henry Luce; Second Lieutenant, William Helm; Ensign, George Reynolds. Received 25th December, 1775, per John Mehelm, Esq. Commissions dated 25th December, 1775, per S. T.

NEW-BRUNSWICK (NEW-JERSEY) COMMITTEE.

In Committee of Observation for the South Ward of New-Brunswick, County of Middlesex, New-Jersey, the 1st day of April, 1776:

Whereas William Steele, an inhabitant of this Ward, having heretofore been cited to appear before this Committee in consequence of a charge exhibited against him, that he had not subscribed the Provincial Association, and had, in the most publick manner, sot himself against the measures taken for the defence and security of the just rights and privileges of America, did refuse to appear, and did, moreover, by letter, insult this Committee in the most haughty and insolent terms, for which they were under the necessity of ordering him arrested and confined; and whereas the said William Steele, having, in the most solemn manner, by word and writing, engaged and obligated himself to use all means, by a quiet, peaceable, and orderly behaviour, to convince his country and this Committee of his better intentions towards the cause of publick freedom, hath, notwithstanding, disregarded his engagements, violated his obligations, and persisted, by misrepresentations, artifice, and treachery, to discourage and dispirit his neighbours from taking an active and cordial part in behalf of their suffering, oppressed, and bleeding country, and to speak in opprobrious terms of this Committee, and to show himself, in his general conduct, disaffected and opposed to the liberties of his country;—this Committee, therefore, in conscientious discharge of their duty, and the trust reposed in them by their constituents, do publish and hold up to the world as an unworthy member of the community, and an inveterate, obstinate, incorrigible enemy to his country, the said William Steele; and do hereby express their belief and expectation, that all persons in whose hearts the sentiments of justice, honour, virtue, and patriotism, have any place and influence, will discountenance, avoid, contemn, and have no connection or intercourse whatever with the said William Steele; to the end that he may feel the sad effects of rising up against the rights of human nature, and that others who may, perhaps, have it in their power to do more prejudice to their country, may see and fear, and avoid the rock on which he has split; for, weak and unimportant as he is, this Committee are not at all apprehensive he will ever be able to effect the mischief to which his heart would prompt him. And this Committee do resolve and declare, for the satisfaction of their countrymen, that if what they have done is found insufficient to reclaim the said William Steele, they will then proceed to take such further steps in discharge of their duty as the circumstances of the case may require.

Signed by order of the Committee:

ABRAHAM TERHNE, Clerk.
J. WETHERILL, Chairman.

LORD STIRLING TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

New-York, April 1, 1776.

MY DEAR GENERAL: I am honoured with your letter of the 24th. Brigadier-General Heath arrived here on Saturday last with the five regiments that marched from camp with him. The Riflemen came in a day or two before. The Connecticut Militia, detached by Governour Trumbull, are also chiefly arrived. These, with what are constantly coming in from the westward, will put us on such a footing as to numbers, that I think we have little to fear from General Howe, should he attempt anything in this quarter. Staten-Island is still open to their invasion, and I should be glad we were so possessed of it that we could prevent their making any lodgment in it. For this purpose I will endeavour to get General Heath’s leave to go over there on Wednesday next, to set the Militia of New-Jersey at work on it. I shall only add, that I could wish General Howe would come here in preference to any other spot in America, as I believe it would now be of least detriment to the American cause; besides, then I should have the honour of serving under your immediate command.

I am, very sincerely, your devoted, humble servant,

STIRLING.

To General Washington.

To the Honourable the Provincial Congress of the City of NEW-YORK.

The humble Petition of Abner Briggs showeth:

Whereas your Petitioner, some time past, did apply to this Congress for leave to export a cargo of provisions to the Island of Nantucket, for the use of the inhabitants thereof, which was accordingly granted him on conditions that he bring a certificate of the performance of the said conditions: your Petitioner, therefore, agreeable thereto, now waits upon this honourable body with the said certificate; and humbly prays for leave to purchase another cargo of provisions, as the inhabitants of Nantucket are greatly distressed. From the Selectmen of which said place, he hath a permit, specifying the quantity and articles that are most necessary, and certifying that the same are wanted absolutely for the use and consumption of the said inhabitants of Nantucket. Your Petitioner, since his arrival, understands that pork and beef are prohibited for exportation, and prays he may have liberty to purchase an equivalent in any other sort of provisions or produce.

April, 1776.

To the Honourable Provincial Congress of NEW-YORK:

GENTLEMEN: Whereas your Petitioner, being very desirous of serving his country against the arbitrary and lawless attempts of a designing Ministry to banish freedom from this once happy and free land, and erect the standard of despotism in its stead,—and as your Petitioner has ever been distinguished as a hearty friend and well-wisher to the American cause, and is now actually in the service as a Sergeant, in Captain Johnson’s Company, of Colonel Mc-Dougall’s Regiment, and a native of this city, of parents ever distinguished as friends to the privileges of this city, and to the American cause in general—(when your Petitioner entered the service, it was in expectation of being promoted; but finding that impracticable without the assistance of this honourable Congress)—he has thought proper, with the advice of his friends, to make this humble application; praying that your Honours may be pleased to