department, or I have full powers, you will hear of things going very wrong. Mr. Butler’s continuing to tell the Indians he is the agent, confuses them, and makes all concerned appear ridiculous.

Isaac Still, the Interpreter, died a few days after I left him. His widow and son arrived here the 7th instant. On the road Captain White-Eyes’s little horse, which I understood you bought for him from Mr. Speare, was claimed and taken from Still’ s son by a Moses Watson, of Ligonier. What can be done in this matter?

Captain Arbuckle, with a company of Virginia forces, departed from hence yesterday for the mouth of the Great Kcnhawa, where they are to rebuild the fort, and to remain till further orders from the Convention. I thought it necessary to send an Indian with them, and a proper message on the occasion to the Delawares and Shawnees, accompanied by one of his officers, which I am sure will have a good effect.

Things are not right with the Northern Indians, particularly with the Senecas. I have now two Indians at Niagara, attending the treaty there, and no doubt proper persons are employed from the Northern Department for the same purpose; so that you cannot fail of receiving early intelligence of the designs of our enemies there, which, as I surmise, are against Pittsburgh. I have told Captain Nevil so, that he may be prepared. My reasons are, first, their force is sufficient, provided they can gain over the Indians; second, they have water-carriage all the way, except eight miles; third, there is scarcely powder west of the mountains sufficient for every man to prime his gun, and only two hundred pounds in the fort here; fourth, they cannot be strangers to our situation; and fifth, it is an object well worthy their enterprise. As this is mere suspicion in me, from their having lately reconnoitred the carrying place, and from the practicability of the scheme, I venture only to intimate it to you. Had I discretionary powers I would do several things to defeat such a plan if formed, which I cannot now do; nor indeed hardly anything except at the risk of bearing the expense myself. I have, therefore, taken the liberty to point out some necessary particulars for the Commissioners or Congress to instruct me in.

Between the 10th and 15th of June three or four of the Shawnee Chiefs, and as many of the Delawares, will be here, and I expect three Chiefs of the Senecas. I shall therefore depend on you to have the bearer, Mr. Boreman, despatched so as to arrive here by the 15th at farthest, with my instructions, and the time fixed for the treaty, as it is of very great consequence.

I likewise flatter myself that Mr. Butler will have advice from the Commissioners not to interfere further in my department, or that I shall have leave to return home after I forward the grand belt, which you may rely on I will do, unless obstacles are designedly thrown in my way, and that you will see Deputies here from the Anabache confederacy in consequence thereof, desiring to take hold (as they express themselves) of the chain of friendship.

Yesterday I gave information to the Committee here of a certain Molloy, one of Captain Campbell’s soldiers, lately confined at Philadelphia, who arrived here the 10th instant, with a message from Dr. Connolly to Mr. McKee, to forward certain orders and intelligence to Detroit. The man is secured, and the County Committee will meet next Tuesday, when all their proceedings therein shall be sent to you. I need not tell you how I obtained this intelligence, nor must it be mentioned. Mr. McKee is to be examined by the Committee.

I beg you will make my compliments to Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence, to your sister, to Mr. and Mrs. Shee, and all the family.

I am, dear sir, your most obedient servant,

GEORGE MORGAN.

To Lewis Morris, Esquire.

P. S. I have acquainted Mr. Butler of this opportunity several days past. He is now at Hanna’s Town, so that I suppose be does not write.

ROBERT MORRIS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Philadelphia, May 16, 1776.

SIR: The enclosed letters will discover to your Excellency that the Congress have ordered two hundred and forty-four muskets to be forwarded from Rhode-Island to New-York for the Continental service; and as it is probable you may think proper to give some directions about the mode of getting them safe down, we trouble you with these open letters, that you may have an opportunity of forwarding them, and of adding thereto what you may think necessary.

We have the honour to be your Excellency’s obedient, humble servants.

By order of the Secret Committee:

ROBERT MORRIS, Chairman.

To His Excellency General Washington.

PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE.

In Committee of Safety, Philadelphia, May 16, 1776.

The Committee having already made known to the inhabitants of this city the pressing occasion there is for a large quantity of Lead, to be employed in the defence of this country, and requested them to spare for the publick use the various species of Leaden Weights in their respective families, the Committee, as the most easy and expeditious method of procuring such Lead, have appointed Thomas Nevell, Frazer Kinsley, William Colliday, and John Darcy, to go round the city, and receive it at the several houses, they paying at the rate of six pence per pound, as formerly specified, it being understood that clock-weights are not at present comprehended among them, as the iron weights to replace them are not yet made.

It is expected that every virtuous citizen will immediately and cheerfully comply with this requisition; but if any persons should be so lost to all sense of the publick good as to refuse, a list of their names is directed to be returned to this Committee.

Extract from the Minutes:

WILLIAM GOVETT, Secretary.

COLONEL TUPPER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Sloop Hester, off Amboy, May 16, 1776.

SIR: Ever since the evening date of my last report I have been employed in detecting some persons who have lately been on board the men-of-war, in a small sloop which I have taken into custody, and shall wait your Excellency’s orders for a further disposition of her. I have also taken, and sent by Lieutenant Humphreys, who brings this, one Mrs. Darbage, who went on board. She has absolutely refused to give any account, or answer any questions, both to the Committee of the town as well as to myself, and says she will do the same to your Excellency; but it is my opinion a little smell of the black-hole will set her tongue at liberty. It is the opinion of our friends in this town that she is able to bring out a number of rascals and villains in sundry towns nigh here.

There is something unaccountable to me, as well as of the Committee here, respecting the conduct of the Committee of Brunswick, where one John Hartwick resides, who conveyed the woman on board, and carried fresh meat, hams, &c. I sent a party to apprehend him, but he could not be found until the officers pledged their honours that no violence should be offered. The Committee met, examined him, and resolved that, as he had got on shore, it was more proper he should be tried by their own Provincial Congress than by military law; took bonds for his appearance, and set him at liberty. As a good correspondence with the Committees is so necessary, (which I have endeavoured and obtained here and elsewhere,) I judged (however I may be mistaken) that it would not be prudent for me to arrest him until I had acquainted your Excellency with the circumstances; your further orders will be obeyed to a tittle. It is thought that he is detained, lest by examination he should bring out some pretended friends in disguise; he owns he saw Person,——Langdon and his brother, who live on Long-Island, near Hog-Island, on board one of the ships, as he (said Hartwick) was on board both.

I have sent a number of limes, which I found in the care of one Thomas Stevens, a late collector, who is very insolent, but I can get no evidence against him unless the lady’s tongue should be set at liberty, and I could find no owner for them and thought no person could be more