same time informed me that I was one of the six persons who were nominated as hostages or prisoners to go to Lancaster or Reading, in Pennsylvania, and that I must be in Albany on the Saturday following. Soon after my arrival there, I made repeated applications to General Schuyler to know my crime, conscious to myself that no part of my conduct could be pointed out in which I had in the least deviated from the resolves of the honourable the Continental Congress; to which applications I never got any satisfactory answers. I then begged to be sent to Philadelphia, or permitted to go myself. For the performance of my arrival there, I offered any security he would require, nay, I offered to give the Colonel, the Major, and the greatest part of the officers belonging to the New-Jersey Battalion, likewise Colonel William Allen, of the Pennsylvania troops, and many others; but every proposal I made was rejected. On the 7th of April I was sent from Albany to this place, where, immediately after my arrival, I was locked up in the common jail, in a room that the moment before was occupied by a criminal, and no person, not even Mrs. Lefferty, or a servant, was admitted in. I only beg the privileges of a fair trial; nothing I wish for more than that of being heard; if found guilty let me be punished. I will suffer then without murmuring; but, on the contrary, if innocent, I am certain every gentleman of feeling will join in opinion with me that I am injured. I solemnly declare that as yet no crime has been alleged against me, neither can there be any touching the publick cause. The bearer is waiting; therefore beg you will excuse the scrawl, and incorrectness. I shall rely entirely on your goodness. I have not the least doubt but you will act in such manner as will afford me relief.

I am, with respect, your Honour’s most obedient, humble servant,

BRYAN LEFFERTY.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esquire.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO COLONEL DAYTON.

Saratoga, May 14, 1776.

SIR: General Sullivan will order you to proceed to Johnstown, with a detachment of the regiment under your command. On your arrival there, you will take up your quarters at the house of Gilbert Tree, innholder, and give notice to the Highlanders, who live in the vicinity of the town, to repair to it; and when any number are collected there, you will send off their baggage, infirm women and children, in wagons; for which you will apply to the Committee of Tryon County, or some of them.

You will make an exact list of the men, women, and children, distinguishing those under five years old, and those from five and under twelve, from those beyond that age; copy of which you will transmit to me.

You will give the strictest order that no abuse be given to the persons of these people, and that all their effects be secured in such a manner that the most trifling part of their property may not be destroyed.

After having secured the Highlanders, you will let Sir John Johnson know that you have a letter from me, which you are ordered to deliver in person, and beg his attendance to receive it. If he comes as soon as you have delivered the letter, and he has read it, you are immediately to make him close prisoner, and carefully guard him, that he may not have the least opportunity of escape. When you have done this you are to repair to his house, taking him with you; and after having placed proper sentinels to prevent any person belonging to the family from carrying out papers, you are to examine his papers in his own presence, and in the presence of William Duer, Esq., who accompanies you, and with whom I wish you to consult when any difficulty arises.

If you find any papers relative to any intended operations against the cause of America, or any letters from British Governours, or officers or agents of the Ministry, you will make a list of such papers and letters, copy whereof you will deliver to Sir John Johnson, and another, together with such papers and letters, you will transmit to me.

You and Mr. Duer will both give your words of honour that you will discover to no persons whatever the contents of any papers or letters which are of a private nature, and which do not affect the cause of America.

Although Sir John Johnson is to be closely guarded, he is by no means to experience the least ill-treatment in his own person, or those of his family; and you are to be particularly careful that none of the men under your command, or any person whatever, destroy or take away the most trifling part of his property, except arms and ammunition, which you are to secure, and bring down with you, and deliver to Mr. Philip Van Rensselaer, Storekeeper, with a charge to keep them safe until further orders from me.

In securing Sir John Johnson, and in searching his house, I wish the least tumult possible; and, to that end, you are not to suffer a private soldier to enter it, unless by your immediate order.

You will constantly keep strong guards, and a good look-out, that you may not experience a surprise, both in marching up, whilst you remain there, and on your return. Having secured Sir John Johnson, and brought him to Albany, you are there to cause him to be guarded with the same attention, and to send me notice of his arrival.

I am, sir, your most humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER, Major-General.

To Colonel Dayton.

COLONEL WAYNE TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Albany, May 14, 1776.

SIR: In obedience to your Excellency’s commands, I have waited on the General, and find sufficient of arms for the remainder of my battalion; for which I obtained an order, and expect they will be put into proper repair by the time Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston arrives with the troops, except bayonet-scabbards, which cannot be procured for want of leather. I also have the pleasure to inform your Excellency that some hundred stand more may be had here, which, with a little improvement, will be fit for service.

The day after to-morrow I march with the detachment of my battalion, now on the spot; the other part of the brigade are either gone or go to-morrow with General Sullivan.

I shall always be glad to receive, and ready to obey, any orders your Excellency may please to favour me with, and to serve you with the best service of, sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

ANTHONY WAYNE.

To General Washington.

P. S. We have disagreeable intelligence from Canada, the particulars of which I doubt not but you are acquainted with before now. We keep it as secret as possible.

GENERAL THOMPSON TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Chambly, May 14, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL: I arrived at this place yesterday evening, and shall immediately set off down the Sorel. Colonel Patterson’s Regiment is ordered to Montreal; Colonel Greaton’s and part of Colonel Bond’s are gone down the Sorel river; and Colonel Poor’s is behind at Ticonderoga, for want of provisions to bring them on. Colonel Baldwin, with the carpenters and smiths, I expect hourly.

The news of this country you will have at large from Dr. Franklin, whom I met above St. John’s yesterday.

I cannot help being a little surprised at the confused manner in which our Army retreated from before Quebeck, and still more to hear that it is intended to abandon the country as far as the mouth of the Sorel. The last part of my intelligence I cannot think is true, and still expect to find General Thomas with part of the Army at Richelieu. That grand pass, and all the country above it, we surely can keep possession of. I shall warmly recommend the fortifying Point Deschambault, and hope it will be gone into; and I think there is nothing to prevent our doing it.

The confused state of this country is past description; but matters will be soon settled; and I am sure that if we are supplied with powder, provisions, and intrenching tools, all will be well.

I expect to be at the mouth of the Sorel river this evening, and shall write your Excellency from General Thomas’s camp.

I am your Excellency’s most obedient humble servant,

WILLIAM THOMPSON.

To General Washington.