another who cannot call her politicks her own; or, to be explicit, she cannot enter into a negotiation with those who denominate themselves Rebels, by resistance, and confession of a dependancy.

“Reason, drawn from justice, policy, and necessity, are everywhere at hand for a radical separation from Great Britain. From justice; for the blood of those who have fallen in our cause cries aloud, “It is time to part.” From necessity; because she hath, of herself, repudiated us, by a rapid succession of insult, injury, robbery, murder, and a formal declaration of war. These are but few, and some of the weakest arguments which the great volume of our oppression opens to every spirited American.

“It cannot be a violation of our faith now, to reject the terms of 1763. They are a qualified slavery at best, and were acceptable to us, not as the extent of our right, but the probable cause of peace; but since the day in which they were most humbly offered as the end of animosities, an interval hath passed marked with tyranny intolerable.

“We, therefore, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do request and instruct you, our Delegates, (provided no just and honourable terms arc offered by the King,) to exert your utmost abilities, in the next Convention, towards dissolving the connection between America and Great Britain, totally, finally, and irrevocably.”

[The above Instructions are signed by a majority of the Freeholders living in the County.]

GENERAL LEE TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read May 6, 1776, and referred to Mr. S. Adams, Mr. Braxton, and Mr. Duane.]

Suffolk, April 24, 1776.

SIR: As it is now beyond all doubt that it is the intention of the enemy to attack these Provinces with a very considerable force, and as the extent of the assailable parts is so very great, it must appear that the troops under my command are inadequate to the service; I must therefore entreat the Congress to detach as many battalions as possible from Pennsylvania, with a large addition of powder. I wish a good horse officer could be found and sent to me; he is much wanted. You will excuse the shortness of my letter, as I am in great haste.

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

CHARLES LEE.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

P. S. We want medicines (bark in particular) most cruelly.

THOMAS STONE TO DANIEL OF ST. THOMAS JENIFER.

Philadelphia, April 24, 1776.

MY DEAR SIR: Mr. Johnson wrote to you, yesterday, by post, and I wrote to Mr. Hall. Nothing is known since, in consequence of your letter and resolution to the President. We have been very much engaged, for some days, in attending to the affairs of Canada, having received late intelligence from that quarter. I presume the Canada Department, with its Conventions and despondencies, will engross our attention for a few days, and then some answer will probably be given to your letter. What it will be, I cannot guess with any degree of certainty; but I am inclined to think everything will be left to the Convention. We shall attend the meeting of that Assembly.

Governour Eden’s letter is published in one of the papers here, and various are the comments on it. Independent of everything else, it is very suspicious; but taking Mr. Eden’s conduct, and the letters from his brother, (who must know his sentiments,) into consideration, I think greatly lessens the charge which the intercepted letter would, of itself, import.

If the Commissioners do not arrive shortly, and conduct themselves with great candour and uprightness, to effect a reconciliation, a separation will most undoubtedly take place; and then all Governours and officers must quit their posts, and new men must be placed in the saddle of power. I wish to conduct affairs so that a just and honourable reconciliation should take place, or that we should be pretty unanimous in a resolution to fight it out for Independence. The proper way to effect this is, not to move too quick. But then we must take care to do everything which is necessary for our security and defence; not suffer ourselves to be bullied or wheedled by any deceptions, declarations, or givings out. You know my heart wishes for peace, upon terms of security and justice to America. But war, anything, is preferable to a surrender of our rights. You may rely on my friendship on all occasions.

My brothers are all steady friends to your Council; and we have not the least doubt but when your conduct comes to be tried by your country, you will receive its thanks for your great attention to the publick good. You have been steady, firm, and determined, in the present opposition to Ministerial tyranny, and I hope will persevere to the end, bearing all blasts with unshaken constancy and resolution.

Nothing new here. I shall set out on Saturday or Sunday next, to meet my wife. Be pleased to show this to your brothers in Council, to whom I present my most respectful regards.

I am, sir, your most obliged and affectionate friend,

T. STONE.

To Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Esq.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL WARD.

Philadelphia, April 24, 1776.

SIR: I am commanded by Congress to acquaint you that your letter of resignation, of the 12th instant, was this day laid before them, and that they have been pleased to accept of the same. The motives which first induced the Congress to appoint you a Major-General in the Continental service, would naturally make them regret your retiring from the Army; but when it is considered that, in the course of your duty in that high rank, you have acquitted yourself with honour and reputation, I am persuaded the reluctance they feel at your retiring is much increased.

The Congress, in a letter to General Washington of the 2d instant, have declared the thanks of these United Colonies to be due to the brave officers under his command, and have requested him to communicate to them this distinguishing mark of the approbation of their country. I mention this, as the letter did not reach the General until he arrived at New-York.

With the sincerest wishes for a restoration of your health, and for your future happiness, I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Major-General Ward.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL FRYE.

Philadelphia, April 24, 1776.

SIR: The Congress having received your letter of resignation, I am commanded to acquaint you that they have been pleased to accept of the same. While they lament the cause that obliges you to retire, they cannot but acknowledge it to be a sufficient one. The reputation and honour with which you have conducted yourself, on all occasions, in the Continental service, must always afford you the most pleasing satisfaction.

The Congress, in a letter to General Washington, of the 2d instant, have declared the thanks of these United Colonies to be due to the brave officers under his command, and have requested him to communicate to them this distinguishing mark of the approbation of their country. I mention this, as the letter did not reach the General until he arrived at New-York.

With the most sincere wishes for the restoration of your health, and for your future happiness, I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Brigadier-General Frye.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO COLONEL HAZEN.

Philadelphia, April 24, 1776.

SIR: It affords me great pleasure to have it in charge from Congress to convey to you their approbation of your letter to General Schuyler, as well as your attention to the publick good. Though it appears that some of the Continental troops have behaved in an imprudent manner towards the Canadians, yet I trust the evil is not incurable. It is only by