a natural son of the late Sir William, is now at Onondaga, the central Council-House, waiting for the result of the approaching meeting to be held there; that he was sent to said place by Colonel Butler, with orders to return immediately to Niagara, upon the breaking up of the Council.

Some of our most judicious and warm friends of the tribe have, in private conversation, expressed their fears of what might take place among the Western Tribes the ensuing spring, by means of Colonel Butler; and give it as their opinion, that your Honour will not be able to preserve, any long time, the union and friendship of the Six Nations, without the reduction of a certain post at the westward. However, they seem to think the result of the Grand Council at Onondaga will determine the expediency of such a measure.

Upon a third request of the Oneidas, in publick council, the Cayugas promised them that they would return, or at least proceed no farther than the German Flats, for some articles of trade; but some of their chiefs, at their departure, said they should go as far as the Mohawks, if not to Albany. Could the Oneidas believe they still persisted in their design of recalling Johnson’s axe, Mr. Deane says they would send an express to General Schuyler, earnestly requesting the axe might not be delivered to them on any terms whatever.

There are various conjectures, if Mr. Butler can prevail with the Senecas, and some other remote tribes, to take up the hatchet, where it will be sent. Some say, upon the back parts of Virginia; others say at Canada, to open a passage for Mr. Johnson’s return. Some of the Mohawks have affirmed that Mr. Johnson will return by way of New-York; and if there should be a passage, only two feet, he will beat his way through.

The Oneidas put great confidence in Mr. Deane, as your Honour’s Deputy, and admit him into their cabinet councils. Had he not been on the spot at this juncture, to strengthen and encourage the Oneidas, and remove objections, the Cayugas would probably have carried the day; and had they brought back the axe, it is thought our frontiers would have felt it before many months.

The deputation from Caughnawaga and adjacent villages have just now arrived. Mr. Deane would have mentioned it, but his letter is sealed. They say they met with some Senecas at the village called Onoskwikisne, about thirty miles south of Caughnawaga, who told them they must proceed directly for the Central Council-fire, and not enter the territories of the Oneidas, for they were Bostonians. The delegation said they would first go to those by whom they were immediately invited, viz: the Oneidas—giving this further reason, that they were of one heart.

A certain paper your Honour committed to my care, when at Albany, cannot be forwarded at present.

Your Honour will be pleased not to disclose Mr. Deane’s name or mine to the Indians, as having communicated such intelligence, at this juncture; for it would very much prejudice the Senecas and Cayugas against the Oneidas, as well as weaken our interest among them. A word to the wise is sufficient.

That your Honour may enjoy health, be long preserved, and, under God, be made an extensive blessing to the United Colonies, is the prayer of, sir, your Honour’s most obedient and very humble servant,

SAMUEL KIRKLAND.

To the Honourable Philip Schuyler, Esq.

P. S. The Caughnawagas bring very favourable accounts of the situation of affairs at Quebeck. Mr. Deane has been several hours in council with them, but cannot write anything further by this conveyance.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Lebanon, April 2, 1776.

SIR: This will be delivered to you by Captain Noah Phelps. He is a gentleman who, as a principal, was concerned in the important seizure of the Northern Fortresses the last spring. After the reduction of those posts, he was employed as a volunteer in other important services before St. John’s, and in Canada, where, for some time, by direction of General Montgomery, he acted as contractor for the Army, until he had the misfortune to fall grievously sick, whereby he suffered the loss of his business, and incurred heavy expenses. His absence at the time of our appointments has occasioned his being hitherto unemployed in such manner as I could wish. His own abilities, joined to his services already done, I think render him worthy of publick notice. The Military Department is his choice.

I am, with truth and regard, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO CAPTAIN BEALL.

SIR: You have our consent to discharge Mr. James Warren. We think he is entitled to pay. We are, &c.

To Captain Rezin Beall.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO BALTIMORE COMMITTEE.

GENTLEMEN: You have done perfectly right in detaining Mr. Henderson. If he is friendly to America, he could have easily got a permit from the Committee of the County wherein he resides. As he has not done it, we think he ought to be at the expense of obtaining a certificate of his character before his boats are released.

We are, &c.

To the Committee of Observation for Baltimore County.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO FREDERICK COUNTY COMMITTEE.

GENTLEMAN: We enclose you the judgment of our Board against Robert Gassaway, whom we were induced to treat with moderation, as he discovered a good deal of sorrow and contrition for his offences, which appeared to us to be, in a great measure, the effect of passion.

We are, &c.

To the Committee of Observation for the Middle District of Frederick County.

LETTER FROM PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Philadelphia, April 3, 1776.

SIR: I have it in command from Congress to direct that, upon the application of Silas Deane, Esq., you furnish him with a guard of twenty men, under a proper officer, to proceed with him to the Capes, from thence to be returned. You will therefore comply with this requisition immediately on his application.

I am, sir, your most obedient servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Officer commanding the Continental Troops, or the Officer commanding where this letter shall be produced.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO COMMANDING OFFICER IN DELAWARE.

Philadelphia, April 3, 1776.

SIR: I have it in charge from Congress to direct that, immediately upon receipt hereof, you order two companies of the Continental Troops under your command to march to Lewestown, there to do duty, and promote the service of the Continent, until the further order of Congress.

I am, sir, your very humble servant,

JOHN HONCACK, President.

To the Officer commanding the Battalion of Continental Troops in Delaware Government.

MASSACHUSETTS DELEGATES TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL.

Philadelphia, April 3, 1776.

SIR: The Congress being informed, by a letter from General Washington, that two thousand of the Continental Troops at Cambridge and Roxbury are deficient, in fire-arms, and that he has not been able to purchase the same from, the inhabitants, or obtain them from the Assemblies of the New-England Colonies, have directed the General to make

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