ELBRIDGE GERRY TO JAMES WARREN.

Philadelphia, May 1, 1776.

MY DEAR SIR: I am exceedingly desirous that measures of defence should be first attended to, and have place of every other undertaking, and shall be most happy to hear that the Capital and its valuable harbour is well fortified, and something done for the other sea-ports; that your powder-mills are at work; that manufactures of lead and sulphur are attended to, and preparation made for casting cannon; that the Committees of Correspondence throughout the Colony are ordered to make returns of the manufactures of fire-arms, employed or unemployed, and that measures are taken to erect publick works; that the established forces, whether Continental or Colonial, are well armed, equipped, and ready for action. When this is done, (and I think with a little assiduity it may be accomplished,) the Colony will be in a situation to receive the enemy; and they being informed thereof, as they generally are of our weakness or strength, will carefully avoid another visit.

I think it may be demonstrated that the Eastern District alone is able, of itself, to declare Independency. The Colony of South-Carolina has behaved nobly in taking up Government, choosing a Governour, &c.; and the Convention of North- Carolina have unanimously voted to follow their example. Virginia is always to be depended upon; and so fine a spirit prevails among them that, unless you send some of your cool patriots among them, they may be for declaring Independency before Congress is ready.

I am glad you approve the proposal for instructions, and can with pleasure inform you that North-Carolina has taken off from her Delegates the restriction relative to this matter, and, as I am informed, has left them at liberty to vote for a final separation from Great Britain.

Your friend as ever,

E. GERRY.

To Mr. James Warren.

CAPTAIN SIMON’S PETITION TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

[Read May 3, 1776, and referred to Mr. McKean, Mr. Wythe, and Mr. J. Adams.]

To the Honourable Continental Congress now sitting, the humble Petition of PETER SIMON and ISRAEL AMBROSE showeth:

That on the 10th of January last they sailed from the Island of Saltatuda on board of the sloop Sally, loaded with salt, molasses, rum, paper, wine, &c., bound for North-Carolina; on the 14th of February was taken near Cape Hatteras by the armed sloop General Gage, George Sibble, Commander, who, for the want of a Prize-Master, put James McKnight (the Mate of Captain Raddan, who was taken the day before) on board the aforesaid sloop Sally, as Prize-Master, as the said McKnight had agreed to enter into their service. The said sloop General Gage took your petitioners on board, and ordered the said McKnight to proceed to Cape Fear with the sloop Sally; but that night a hard gale came on, which drove the sloop Sally to the northward; after which, the said McKnight run the vessel on shore, in order to convert her to his own use; to accomplish which he has misrepresented every circumstance to the honourable Congress to obtain their order to dispose of the said sloop Sally and cargo, contrary to the orders and instructions given to the said McKnight and the Committee of Burlington. The said McKnight has broken open our desks and trunks, and secreted one hundred half-johannes, wearing apparel, arms, &c.; also has not given any account of one-half the goods that were saved out of said sloop Sally, to the prejudice of your petitioners’ three thousand pounds; therefore, we pray you may take it in your great wisdom to restore our sufferings, and prevent our being robbed by such imposters on our country. And your peti-tioners will ever pray.

PETER SIMON

Philadelphia, May 1, 1776.

Claim of JAMES MCKNIGHT to the honourable Continental Congress.

The sloop Charming Sally was cleared out from Dommca to Newfoundland, as I saw the clearance of her on board the sloop General Gage; to which I could be qualified if called upon.

The above is a low estimate of things belonging to me on board the sloop Joseph, Captain Radden, when taken by the sloop General Gage, on the 14th of February, 1776.

JAMES MCKNIGHT.

Memorandum of Sundries in my Chest when taken by the Sloop GENERAL GAGE, February 14, 1776, viz:

1 chest; 88 Johannes and 27 dollars, which were found in the hands of McKnight; 6 white shirts, and some check ones (2 or 3;) 3 cravats; 2 coats, (one never worn;) 4 waist-coats; 4 pairs of breeches; 1 pair of drawers; 12 pairs of stockings; 1 pair of shoe-buckles; 1 pair of knee-buckles;1 pair of shoes, not worn; 3½ pieces of linen; 2 pieces of checks; 2 beaver hats; 1 straw hat; 1 quadrant, and all my books; 1 pocket-book, with sundry papers; 6 plates; bed and bedding; 3 pocket handkerchiefs; 1 parcel of fine thread.

ISRAEL AMBROSE.

Inventory of the Sloop SALLY’S Cargo, JAMES MCKNIGHT Prize-Master, viz:

1, 300 bushels of salt; 14 hogsheads of molasses; 120 gallons of rum; 65 reams of writing paper; 1 hogshead and 27 demijohns of claret wine; 27 dozen bottles of French cordials; 5 cases of oil of olives and anchovies; 4 ankers of brandy; 150, 000 pins; 24 pairs of wool-cards; 10 pieces of linen and checks; 500 pounds of shot; 1 cask of powder; 150 pounds of coffee; 4 umbrellas; 100 yards of osnaburghs; 4 beaver hats; 1 Negro man; 1 suit of velvet; 1 suit of black cloth; 1 suit of light-coloured cloth; 1 suit of purple cloth; 2½ dozen of shirts; 2 dozen of neck-cloths; 3 dozen of handkerchiefs; 4 dozen of silk and thread stockings; 3 dozen of linen waistcoats and breeches; 4 pairs of silk breeches; several pairs of woollen and leather breeches; 2 chintz night-gowns; several short coats; great coat and cloak; ½ piece of cambrick; 8 yards of crimson silk; 1 dozen pairs of French laced ruffles; bedding; table-linen; musket; sword; pistols; 2 blunderbusses; quadrant, and other instruments; small library of books.

NEW-YORK COMMITTEE TO GENERAL PUTNAM.

New-York, May 1, 1776.

SIR: The bearers, Captain Schaleh and Doctor Gill, prisoners of war, having been removed here from Schcnec-tady and Albany, in order to be sent to some place in the country, and having behaved as becometh gentlemen of honour in the above-named places from whence they have come; and as they are desirous of being stationed in New-Jersey, at Burlington or Trenton; on account of the healthiness of the climate, as well as the small family of a wife and five children which the said Captain has hopes of receiving from Quebeck; they have, by a gentleman of our Committee, applied to me to request that your Excellency will be pleased either to station them at and about the aforesaid towns, or to permit them to remain here until they shall have the pleasure of waiting on General Washington for the purpose aforesaid, who, they doubt not, has, by the letter directed to him, been informed of their character and behaviour in the places they were last in. The gentleman who introduced them to me is well acquainted with them, and has known the Captain for many years, and I can confide in his representation of them as men of the clearest honour.

I am, sir, your Excellency’s most obedient, humble servant,

GARRET ABEEL,
Chairman of the General Committee.

To His Excellency Major-General Putnam.

JOHN SNYDER TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Kingston, May 1, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Whereas the command of the First Regiment in Ulster County has devolved on me as Colonel thereof, I do hereby enclose you a state of the said regiment as to the number of men; and as to arms and accoutrements we may supply ourselves, and nearly complete now;