difficulty, and at a prodigious expense, scantily imported from the northern parts of Europe. The lumber trade, which enabled us to carry on the export of provisions from our Southern Provinces, is almost entirely ruined. Commerce is a mighty chain, in which the weakness of a single link destroys the union and strength of the whole. Thus have all the other parts of our commerce sensibly declined by their connection with those already enumerated.

We cannot pass in silence the state of this now defenceless kingdom, deprived of almost all its stipulated force, and left an easy prey to the first invader. When we throw our eyes on the Continent, and behold the prodigious power and warlike preparations of our most dangerous neighbours and usual enemies, we cannot but shudder at the humiliating comparison.

We thus, sire, have presumed to submit to your royal and benignant consideration a small part of the manifold grievances under which we labour. One of the great axioms of our law places an easy remedy in your Majesty’s hands, to be employed for the national interest, without any injury to the prerogative, or any diminution of your Majesty’s personal honour. “The King can do no wrong” is that great rule we allude to, which, preserving the sovereign dignity from insult, consults the rights of freedom, without the danger of anarchy; and, by transferring faults from the supreme Executive power to those officially employed in Administration, determines a mode of responsibility which has ever proved the surest safeguard of this often-threatened Constitution.

Under new Ministers, new measures may be best adopted without inconsistency, and with the utmost attention to every just and lawful prerogative. The State may thus be, as it often has been, saved by the intelligent, the uncorrupt, and the intrepid, from that destruction into which it is plunged by the dastardly, the venal, and the ignorant.

In your Majesty’s paternal attention to your people’s welfare; in your wisdom, justice, and clemency, we place the utmost confidence; and now most humbly supplicate your Majesty to remove those evils of which we complain; to direct that the sword may be sheathed, that our commerce may be restored, and that economy, union, peace, and liberty may be permanently re-established through all parts of the empire.

[Signed by five hundred of the principal Citizens, Freeholders, Merchants, &c.]

GENERAL LEE TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read May 20. Referred to Committee of five, viz: Mr. R. H. Lcc, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Middleton, Mr. Paine, and Mr. Wolcott.]

Williamsburgh, May 10, 1776.

SIR: Enclosed is a packet I have just received from North-Carolina; as likewise a resolve of the Convention of Virginia. In consequence of this intelligence, I had before detached a battalion of Riflemen to Halifax, for which place I intend to set out myself the day after to-morrow. There is a noble spirit in this Province, pervading all orders of men; if the same becomes universal, we shall be saved. I am, fortunately for my own happiness, and, I think, for the well-being of the community, on the best terms with the Senatorial part, as well as the people at large. I shall endeavour to preserve their confidence and good opinion. I am extremely distressed for Engineers, and the two I have tell me that they shall be under the necessity of resigning, as they cannot subsist on their present miserable pittance. I hope the Congress will think proper to increase their salary, and their number. May I, without presumption, urge to the Congress the absolute necessity of straining every nerve to possess themselves of Niagara at least, if not Detroit.

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

CHARLES LEE.

To the Honourable John Hancock.

Halifax, May 6, 1776.

SIR: We have this day received the enclosed from Brigadier-General Moore, and have orders from the Congress to enclose them to you. We are directed also to inform you that the Congress have ordered a reinforcement of fifteen hundred Militia, rank and file, in two battalions, to join General Moore with all possible expedition; this reinforcement is ordered to consist of detachments from four Eastern districts of six, into which our Province is divided, because the Western districts are reserved for a particular purpose, which you are already acquainted with, and you will perceive General Moore alludes to. These two districts are inhabited chiefly by wheat farmers, and if obliged to leave their crops before they can save that necessary grain, a dearth in the next year could scarcely be avoided. The Congress have, therefore, judged this an additional reason for withholding the Militia in that part of our Colony at this season, unless the necessity becomes indispensably urgent; in which case they are ordered to be in readiness, and it is not to be doubted but they will march with great alacrity. The dispersed situation of our inhabitants makes it impossible for the Militia reinforcement to be in the field without some delay, and the Militia of the neighbouring Counties have been in unremitting service so long that it has become irksome, and exceedingly burdensome to them. Under these circumstances the Congress could fall on no expedient more eligible than that already mentioned, although they were sensible that some part of the reinforcement must go a considerable distance, and therefore must be late in joining the army; however, the far greater part will be on its march in a short time, and they are under orders to proceed with all possible expedition. The detachment from the District of Halifax will march from Tarborough (about forty miles from hence) on Thursday week; Newbern and Wilmington are nearer the scene of action, and probably will be sooner in the field. Edenton is still more remote; but as there is a passage by water, it is probable they will not be long behind. Ammunition and provisions have been already ordered to General Moore, and we hope he will soon receive them. This representation of our circumstances we make to you, sir, under the direction of the Congress. They avoid requesting you to order any reinforcement from Virginia, because they rely on their wisdom for taking the most expedient resolutions in this matter when informed of facts.

We are, sir, with great respect, your very obedient servants.

By order of the Committee of Secrecy, War, and Intelligence.

THOMAS BURKE, Chairman.

To His Excellency Major-General Lee.

Enclosed is an estimate of what gunpowder is in the several Counties in our Colony.

Wilmington, April 29, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: By two men who deserted from the Glasgow packet, lying at Fort Johnston, on Saturday night, the 27th instant, I received intelligence that five transport ships (of forty-five that sailed from Cork some time in February, with nine regiments) have arrived in the river, with about seven hundred troops, and that the rest are hourly expected. From every circumstance I can gather it is beyond a doubt that the enemy mean to make this Province the object of their attention, and that Governour Martin has still expectations of assistance from the forces, and Regulators lately defeated at Moore’s Creek Bridge. I am very apprehensive the scheme, mentioned to President Rutledge, of flanking the Ministerial Army with the Militia from the northward and westward, will be found ineffectual, for should General Clinton land at Little-River, as supposed, they might effect a junction with the disaffected of Anson, and a part of Bladen, which joins it, in five days march, the distance not being more than sixty miles, which would be sooner than a sufficient number of Militia could be imbodied to intercept them.

I expect an immediate reinforcement from Bladen, Onslow, and Duplin, which will, I hope, enable me to send out strong detachments to secure the passes on Waggamaw, Drowning Creek, and the Marsh, and will, I expect, effectually prevent their march, and cut off all communication with them and the Tories, and over those who would wish to join them. I shall take care to have such officers and men on that service as are well acquainted with the country, and whose conduct and bravery I can confide in. All the deserters who have yet come on shore agree in this point, that Wilmington will be the first place attacked, which obliges me to keep a considerable body of men always in the town for its defence.

30th.—This morning I examined John Pond, who escaped from the Falcon sloop-of-war last Sunday night, and enclose you his affidavit. I have, in consequence of this