Tories are so hardened in principle, that they cannot swear false, therefore will not stick to take any oath enjoined them by any Committee. Captain Barret Diar, of King’s District, told this informer, that he dreamed, at a time not long first there would be a great convulsion in affairs; and in the compass of an hour after it begun things would turn right about, and all the forts would be in possession of the Tories, and the Whigs disarmed and secured, and also a number of sloops got up the river to Albany, to cut off communication from shore to shore; and that the same would be in Connecticut river. This informer saith, that Israel Osborn, Jun., of Captain Vosburg’s company, did, a few days since, ask him what he thought of these things; to which he replied, he did not know. Said Osborn said there would be a damned struggle which should have the arms, the Whigs or Tories, before they left Albany. That George Hinsdale told this informer that Lemuel Buck, of New-Milford, said he had seen some one of the members of the Congress of New-York, who told said Buck they were the greater part friends to Government, and did freely confer with the Captain of the man-of-war, and communicated things to him. That George Hinsdale told him one Rowley said that General Schuyler had a commission from the King, and has had it some months. This informer said that Esquire Savage, of King’s District, told him he had been a journey to Connecticut to Major Skene; and was in Woodbury, and found there was a vast number of Tories there, and through the country. Saith he saw Esquire Van Schaack, of Kinderhook, a few days ago, who said, he had done troubling himself about the matter, the damned Tories would all be hanged soon. This is the way of speech made use of by friends to Government. This informer saith, that the said Brown did say that it was absolutely necessary to have the names of the friends to Government taken, and that said Brown did take the names of such in these parts.

The above deposition was taken before eleven Committees, sitting in Richmond, in the County of Berkshire, per

VALENTINE RATHBUN, Chairman.

The reason the deponent’s name is secreted, is, because he supposed he was in danger.

Berkshire, May 19, 1776.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON TO A GENTLEMAN IN PHILADELPHIA, DATED MAY 19, 1776.

Should America this spring declare independence, it is most certain that France and many other Powers of Europe will give her immediate assistance, if applied to; which no Power will attempt to do while the Americans style themselves subjects of the King of Great Britain. The Ministry are fully sensible of this; therefore, by cajoling and making friends in some of the Southern Colonies, they hope to create divisions, and prevent such a decisive step being taken this year; and, by the operations of the present campaign, they expect to be so successful as to make it too hazardous for foreign Powers to interfere. The commission which Lord Howe carries over is, in fact, nothing more than to receive the submission of the Colonies, but he is instructed to talk much of a reconciliation on honourable terms. This, it is thought, with the aid of secret influence, (for which he has unlimited power,) especially with those Colonies that at present seem most averse to independence, will create divisions in Congress, and among the people at large, so as to prevent a further success of their operations this year. Indeed, the Ministry are more alarmed at the apprehension of America declaring herself independent than anything else, because they have been given to understand, by most of the Powers of Europe, particularly by France and Prussia, that in such a case they shall think themselves entirely at liberty to act as best suits themselves. But the truth is, the King is so determined on the unconditional subjugation of America, (the present Court phrase,) that it is certain he will risk the utter ruin of the whole Empire, rather than not succeed in what he has set his heart so much upon.

ALLAN MCDONALD TO THE PENNSYLVANIA COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

[Communicated to Congress by John Nixon. Read May 21, 1776.]

Reading, Pennsylvania, May 19, 1776.

SIR: When lately at Philadelphia, I represented to the honourable Congress the disagreeable situation we were in since our arrival or confinement in this place, and which, without any additional charges to them, might be made more comfortable and satisfactory to us. Agreeable to our parole to General Schuyler, we waited on the Committee of the place next morning after our coming to it, and then signed a fresh parole, as the gentlemen had received no instructions relative to us. They returned us to the tavern till the further pleasure of Congress should be known, and for which we waited with great anxiety, when, at last, Mr. Hollar informed us that he was ordered to provide lodgings for us, and that, in consequence, he had ordered beds, chairs, tables, &c., to be got ready. We were much surprised when he told us last day that his instructions were confined to the articles mentioned, with the addition of pots only; when surely many more are necessary to furnish houses; and yet we asked nothing but what we could not absolutely dispense with, as we appeal to himself, the bearer hereof. It is true, he told us he would lay the matter before you, and act agreeable to your further directions, and which we hope you will be pleased to give him on receipt, not only in regard to the lodgings, but our subsistence. It has been surmised that, without authority, we were to be allowed two dollars a week only, as given the gentlemen of the regulars. Surely there is a very material distinction to be made. Those have their agents to draw upon, and are allowed to sell their drafts, and without which, it is not presumable the two dollars could support them in rank and character; and yet this is the very case with us. We have nothing to expect or depend upon but the allowance of Congress; and if I may beg a little of your attention to the capitulation, you will, I hope, with us be of opinion that this is secured to us; and the sense we had of our own inability was the very reason why we insisted in it so much with General Schuyler. Were it otherwise, your own sentiments and feelings, as gentlemen, would induce you to it. It is not only this, but support for our families that we were made to expect. As the General had no discretionary power, he would only promise his good offices with Congress as to this request, still signifying a confidence of its being complied with upon a fair representation; but as it is optional to you to grant or refuse this part, it is submitted to your good humanity, as is your giving despatch to the request of this letter, and determining whether we are to be removed to the lodgings taken for us, or continue in the tavern, as at present, which, without bringing you advantage, distresses much me and others. And I am, sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

ALLAN McDONALD.

To John Nixon, President of the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read May 21, 1776.]

New-York, May 19, 1776.

SIR: This will be handed you by General Gates, who sets out today for Congress agreeable to my letter of yesterday. I have committed to him the heads of sundry matters to lay before Congress for their consideration, which, from the interesting intelligence contained in my last, appear to me of the utmost importance, and to demand their most early and serious attention. Sensible that I have omitted to set down many things necessary, and which probably when deliberating they will wish to be acquainted with, and not conceiving myself at liberty to depart my post, though to attend them, without their previous approbation, I have requested General Gates to subjoin such hints of his own as he may apprehend material. His military experience and intimate acquaintance with the situation of our affairs will enable him to give Congress the fullest satisfaction about the measures necessary to be adopted at this alarming crisis, and, with his zeal and attachment to the cause of America, have a claim to their notice and favours. When Congress shall have come to a determination on the subject of this letter, and such parts of my former letters as have not been determined on, you will be pleased to honour me with the result.

I am, sir, with sentiments of the greatest regard and esteem, your most obedient servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the President of Congress.