whereof Colonel Lott is Colonel; the said Elias Brevoort having been elected in the stead of John Gregg, who is disqualified, and confined in the Barrack Guard-House for conduct inimical to his country.

Ordered, That his Commission issue. And it was issued accordingly.

A Return from Colonel Jacobus Swartwout was read and filed. He thereby returns the Officers of a Company of

Mr. Lloyd has received the money, he will receive an order to pay it to you by this opportunity. If he does, I must beg of you to remit it as above.

J. F.

ASIA, NEW-YORK, February 21, 1776.

MY DEAR MAJOR: You may easily imagine how much I am disappointed in the Viper’s not being yet arrived. I should have come around at the time Mr. Grant did, had it not been for the promise I made Colonel Leslie, not to come without his permission. Mr. Grant tells me you informed him that you expected me at Boston; upon which authority I should have come around now, had I not been afraid of missing a passage to Europe, in case the ship that relieves us should now be on her way here; and if she is not, I am not sure of a passage from Boston to this place again, in case the Colonel does not think proper to do anything for me, as I am much afraid he will not, as I am credibly informed he could easily have procured a Company in the Royal Americans for me, and that you had proposed it to him, but that he declined doing anything in the matter; and so it dropped. Cruel, unnatural uncle! Where is all that goodness of heart Colonel Leslie’s friends boast he is possessed of, and that I have so often heard you, my dear Major, talk of. I believe he either left it in Europe, or Captain Stewart has deprived him of it, as I cannot help imagining him the author of all the unjust reports which, I am well assured, he has always taken such pains to trumpet into the Colonel’s ears against me.

I am surprised the Colonel did not even deign to write me per the Phenix. Common civility, especially from the polite Colonel, would have induced him to answer a stranger; but a nephew is not worth bestowing so much time upon. But, indeed, he has a very good reason— “I am not the penitent,” he says. I wish I knew how to convince him; but that I despair to do. As matters are now come to the worst they can arrive at with me, I will be plain and honest with you as to my intentions. If the Colonel and you will assure me of a Company in the Royal Americans, I will come round to Boston by the first opportunity; if not, I shall go home in the Asia. I should have gone home in the Sampson; but after I had secured a passage, Colonel Dalrymple, who freighted half of the ship, would not allow of it; for which civility the Colonel and I must settle accounts the first time we meet. I should not have permitted him to depart without a turn or two on Governour’s Island, only I was afraid of offending Captain Vandeput, who has been a second father to me. However, we may probably meet some other time. If we do not soon, I shall make it my business to throw myself in his way. But enough of this.

I have now, my dear Major, told you my intention, which I beg you will inform the Colonel of, and let me know his determination by the first opportunity, as I am determined to go home, and know from my father’s own mouth what I am to trust to, unless the Colonel promotes me in the Army. If home-bound, it will be necessary the Colonel send me some cash. I received a letter from Mrs. Hoosfall, who informs me you proposed making me a Lieutenant in the Seventy-First, and hopes, by the conveyance she sent it, I will have a certainty of it. Write fully Colonel Leslie’s mind-you are well acquainted with it. Let me know if there is a single grain of affection in it for me. What you tell me shall never go farther. The ship is now under sail. I have no more time but to assure you that I am your obliged friend and humble servant,

ROSEHILL.

To Major Small, Boston.

HALIFAX, August 29, 1775.

DEAR SIR: As the very disagreeable situation of the quarrel between Great Britain and the Colonies makes us very anxious about the security of the little property we have on your side the Atlantick, and though we are well convinced of your honour from all our friends, yet we hope you will not charge us with an unbecoming boldness in begging the favour of you to make us a remittance for the last year’s invoices, being really distressed by the dishonouring of some bills from America to a considerable amount, as well as desirous of being relieved from the anxiety we cannot but feel for the state of your property in such unsettled times.

Praying your speedy and favourable attention to this request, and assuring you how happy we shall be in the continuance of your correspondence when the times wear a more favourable aspect, we are, with esteem and regard, sir, your most obedient and assured servants,

CHRISTOPHER RAWSON & SONS.

To Mr. John Greenlow, Merchant, Boston, New-England.

NEW-YORK, January 24, 1776.

SIR: I take this favourable opportunity to acquaint you that I am in good health, bless God! and hope this will find you in the same. I am now in confinement in the City-Hall, of the city of New-York, but hope to be soon released therefrom; and as soon as that happens, I shall pay you a visit, if nothing extraordinary happens. The bearer hereof is a gentleman, and a friend of mine; therefore let him be yours, and you will find him worthy your acquaintance. He is a man of sense and education, and courage; if you can serve him in any respect, please do it, and it will oblige me.

I am, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

PETER GANTER.

To Mr. William Cunningham, Boston. Per favour of Mr. William Elder.

DEAR BROTHER: I take this opportunity to write to you, hoping these few lines will find you in as good a state of health as I enjoy at present, (thanks be to God for it!) But, dear brother, I think it is a little cold of you not to send me a letter, as you had the fairest opportunity; for I should have sent to you before, but it is a nice point to get a letter anywhere since the port has been stopped up. We did expect to have the Chatham round here to relieve us; but we hear the Preston has gone home, and we expect she will stay in her room. But still, as the ship is coming out, I dare say we shall have some one here to relieve us. And, dear brother, I shall be very glad to hear if you have got a letter from our father, and whether you have heard from our brother James, or no. I should be very glad to hear from him; and if you have, do not forget to let me know in the return of your letter. I should be very glad to have an answer from you, to know how you are, and in what situation you are; for we have been pretty easy here; but since this General Lee. has been here with his troops, we have been a little restless; but still stop their trade. They have likewise taken between seventy and eighty pieces of cannon out of the North Battery, and fortified the town very strong against us; but still that does not give us the least concern, for it lies to our mercy at any time. So, dear brother, do not forget to let me hear from you, and how affairs go on at present at Boston.

So no more at present, from your ever loving brother till death,

SAMUEL TULK.

To John Tulk, on board of His Majesty’s ship the Lively, at Boston.

NEW-YORK, December 17, 1775.

SIR: Herewith you have the certificate for pay of the vessels; which be so good as to get signed, and forward the first and second to Mr. Blackburn, and send the third here, per first conveyance. Those sent per Mr. Nixon; he was obliged to destroy.

I am, with great respect, for Mr. Pinny White, sir, your most obedient servant,

JOHN SICKLES.

To Henry Lloyd, Esq., Boston.

Direct to Mr. White, as usual.

NEW-YORK, February 29, 1776.

DEAR JACK: Notwithstanding my having acquainted you, in my former letters, of my intention to stay in America till May, yet, as things have turned out, I dare say you will be somewhat surprised to see this dated from a place which many things will have concurred to make you conclude has long before this been just in the same situation with Charlestown, near Boston, and Norfolk, in Virginia. Though I must confess that I look upon this town, in particular, to be in a galloping consumption, and though most of the inhabitants have forsaken it, yet I have not been able to prevail upon myself to follow their example, as I must, in going to the country, lose the benefit of a master with whom I am eagerly studying some things which are as satisfactory at present as they will be necessary hereafter. I am now transacting some business, which, if I can get settled according to my mind, will oblige me to return to Jamaica by the way of London; and it depends upon this business whether I see you very soon, if in London, or persist in my former intention of staying here till May. My time is short; so you must excuse this unsatisfactory method of writing to one who should know all my actions, and reasons why.

My complaint still continues to give me uneasiness, though my appearance is healthy in the highest degree, my appetite keen, and am lustier than ever I was. I wrote you on the 25th of December, I don’t remember the subject, nor have I time at present to look at the copy. I received, sometime ago, a letter from Mr. Sterling. He is the only person in Jamaica from whom I have heard since my arrival in this country. I pray remember me to everybody.

I am, dear brother, yours, sincerely,

JAMES CAMPBELL.

To Mr. John Campbell. To the care of William Innes, Esq., Merchant, London.

ASIA, February 7, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I suppose, by this time, you have heard of my situation; but, thank God, I have escaped that villanous treachery in attempting to make a prisoner of me for bringing intelligence on board the King’s ships, which I now dare to say they were not far out. Captain Vandeput has treated me very kindly, and has recommended me to General Clinton, who sails on a secret expedition to-morrow, on board the Mercury, I believe for Virginia, but is kept a profound secret. He has got a number of recruits on board the transport. I shall embrace this opportunity of going with him, as I make no doubt, from what Captain Vandeput told me, I shall meet with success. It distressed me beyond expression that I had it not in my power to bid you farewell; but when you consider my situation, I need not make an apology, as I am persuaded it will be the last letter I shall have the pleasure of writing to you. I think it my duty to return my sincere thanks for the many civilities and kind friendship you have shown me since I had the honour of your acquaintance. As I have not time to write to my friends in Ireland, I shall be much obliged to you to acquaint them with my intentions. I need not dwell any further on that subject, as I make no doubt you will do all that is in your power for my interest, and take the earliest opportunity. It grieves me beyond expression to be under the necessity of applying to you at this present time; but having no other friend with whom I may take this liberty, induces me to be troublesome. My situation here is so distressing, that I am unable to make it appear; though I thank God I have a fine prospect of doing well. I have not, got a second shirt nor stockings; in short, I have not got a second bit of clothes of any kind to put on, except what I have on; therefore shall be much obliged to you to let me have some little of your old clothes. I should not make this application, but believe me, dear sir, to be under the greatest distress; so I hope you will give me some little things. I have not one shilling to buy me anything. I should not make these bold requests, but imagine father will pay you for your expense. Excuse me for this liberty of mentioning your being paid again; but do assure you I look on it as charity, not as any interest. I hope you will excuse haste and trouble.

I am, dear sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

WILLIAM McDERMOTT.

To John Kelly.