the Black-Joke on Saturday, and were towed in their canoe by the James to the watering-place yesterday morning, and landed, are suspected to be the persons who gave the ship’s crew notice that the riflemen were approaching, and are, therefore, made prisoners; they inform that Messrs. Weatherhead and Wallace, of New-York, frequently go on board the Phenix, from Long-Island. I have undertaken to send Darby Doyle, as a prisoner, for selling provisions to, and holding correspondence with the enemy.

I have the pleasure to inform your Honour, that the officers and soldiers under my command behaved in the late little skirmish with a spirit and conduct becoming advocates for liberty. I am to acknowledge myself obliged to Captain Rawlings, his officers and men, for the assistance they prepared to lend us, by crossing the river, in the most expeditious manner. A list of the prisoners will be delivered by Lieutenant Finley, to whom I beg leave to refer your Honour for further particulars.

I have the pleasure to subscribe myself your Honour’s most obedient, humble servant,

HUGH STEPHENSON.

JOHN BLACKLER TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Esopus, April 8, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I looked on the discharge which you were so kind as to send to the Committee of Safety here, as sufficient to enable me to seek for my living on any part of the Continent; but find to the contrary, as they have insisted on my proceeding to New-York. I willingly complied with your orders; as such, flatter myself I shall be so happy as to receive by the bearer a discharge, as I am still a prisoner, only with the liberty of the town.

I am, gentlemen, with respect, your very humble servant,

JOHN BLACKLER.

To the Gentlemen of the Provincial Congress, New-York.

THOMAS WICKES TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Huntington, April 8, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: We have just received intelligence that a fleet of thirty sail of square-rigged vessels have been seen off between Cray-Neck and Eaton’s Neck; and we thought it best to send you the earliest intelligence. We shall watch their motions, and as soon as we can discover their motions, we shall send you further intelligence. We are mustering our Militia, and shall do the best in our power.

We are, gentlemen, your humble servants,

THOMAS WICKES, Chairman.

P. S. About seven o’clock in the evening we received the intelligence.

JOHN LLOYD TO JOHN SLOSS HOBART.

Queen’s Village, April 8, 1776.

SIR: As the affairs of my uncle, Henry Lloyd, Esq., respecing his estate, have come to my care, his particular situation renders it necessary that something should be done that his interest may not go to destruction; which I should be glad to prevent, by affording all the assistance in my power, provided I can do it with safety to myself. My uncle, you know, sir, is under the censure of the publick, and so far considered an unfriendly man to his country, as, I think, renders it unsafe for any one to transact business for him without the permission of the higher powers in this matter. I take the liberty of asking your advice respecting the propriety of applying to the Provincial Congress for consent in this affair. At the same time, should be obliged for your opinion how far I may engage in these matters, until I can obtain full power to act. Our situation is as much exposed to the enemy as any in the Sound, and I think this circumstance alone will be an argument that something should be done with his interest, especially stock, which I propose selling if leave can be obtained. If my ideas of this matter should agree with yours, 1 should be much obliged if you would write to Mr. Treadwell, who, I suppose, is now at Congress, and request the favour of him to lay the matter before the House as soon as he thinks proper. I should be glad it might be soon.

I am your very humble servant,

JOHN LLOYD, JUN.

To John Sloss Hobart, Esq.

GENERAL THOMAS TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read April 16, 1776.]

Albany, April 8, 1776.

SIR: I received your favour of the 6th of March, with the directions of Congress to proceed to Canada. In consequence of which I left Roxbury the 22d, for Albany, where I arrived the 28th. I have been detained on account of the lakes being impassable; but am in hopes boats may pass in a few days. I shall take the very first opportunity.

I am sorry to find the troops so backward; I understand many of the regiments are very incomplete as to number, especially those of New-York and New-England. I cannot find the whole, which may be expected to form the Army in Canada, will amount to five thousand, while I expect Montreal, and the posts on our way, will require near one thousand; and should a reinforcement of the enemy arrive before we get possession of Quebeck, considering the smallness of our number, some disagreeable consequence must ensue. For Canada, we cannot expect to be able to call in any assistance from the inhabitants, as in the other Colonies, on any emergency. I hope the Congress will take this matter into consideration, whether the number mentioned is sufficient to resist the force that our enemy will be likely to send that way. I am not at present able to make any regular return of the state of the Army in that quarter, but shall, as soon as it possibly can be done. I understand by General Schuyler, that he has made some representation to Congress on this matter; therefore shall, on my part, pursue every measure that is in my power for the good of the common cause.

I am, sir, with the greatest respect, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JOHN THOMAS.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

RIDGEFIELD (CONNECTICUT) COMMITTEE.

Ridgefield, April 8, 1776.

Josiah Stebbins, Benjamin Hoyt, Thomas Smith, John Dauchy, Ebenezer Smith, Ezekiel Wilson, and Ebenezer Sherwood, of the Township of Ridgefield, in the County of Fairfield, and Colony of Connecticut, were brought before the Committee of said Township, as being, suspected of being inimical to the liberties of America; and, upon examination, it appeared to the Committee that they are inimical to the liberties of America; and all persons are hereby desired to have no more dealings or commerce with them; otherwise they will be held up as inimical, and dealt with accordingly.

By order of the Committee:

SAMUEL OLMSTED Chairman.

J. WATERS, JUN., TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

New-London, April 8, 1776.

Agreeable to your Honour’s desire, I have hereto subjoined a sketch of the outline of the first work we propose completing on Shaw’s Neck. I think it advisable to have these completed forthwith, and shall accordingly endeavour to accomplish the same. Five hundred men might be employed to advantage. It may be well to have a number of single platforms immediately completed, as, should we afterwards choose a full platform, these will not come amiss. We employ about fifty men per day on the works.

The whole when completed will be so far towards completing the general plan.

I am your Honour’s most obedient servant,

J. WATERS, JUN.

To Governour Trumbull

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