intrusted with the conservation of our rights, and are firmly of opinion that your constituents in general will cheerfully be governed by whatever your wisdom may ordain in the present exigency, humbly recommending it to you always to keep in mind that in times of confusion every change should be cautiously adopted, and only such made as are absolutely necessary. In which particulars the Province of South-Carolina, when impelled by necessity, has set a laudable example, regulating themselves with a view towards, and only until, “an accommodation of the unhappy differences between Great Britain and America can be obtained,” an event which, “though traduced and treated as Rebels,” they still profess earnestly to desire.

May 22, 1776.

AMWELL (HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW-JERSEY) COMMITTEE.

Amwell Committee, May 20, 1776.

Ordered, That the following be inserted in the Pennsylvania Journal:

“Cornelius Williamson, of Amwell, in the County of Hun-terdon, and Province of New-Jersey, having been cited, and appeared several times before the Committee of the Township aforesaid, for uttering expressions approving of Ministerial oppression against America, and using his endeavours to dis-qourage his neighbours and acquaintance from opposing such oppression, although he had some time ago given in an acknowledgment of such conduct, and promised amendment to the late Committee of Amwell aforesaid, yet he appears to be the same man as before; therefore, the Committee unanimously agreed to publish the said Cornelius Williamson to the world as an enemy to the liberties of America; and from henceforth we will break off all dealings with him. Let him enjoy his own sentiments at home, where it is hoped no person will visit him, neither allow him to come into their company; but, in all respects, be shunned and avoided as an enemy to his country, and unworthy the blessings of freedom. Let him live as Cain did, forsaken by mankind.”

Extract from the Minutes:

JASPER SMITH, Secretary.

NEWARK (NEW-JERSEY) COMMITTEE.

Committee-Chamber, Newark, May 20, 1776.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the inhabitants of this Township, that they do not kill nor eat any Lamb or Sheep of any kind from this day until the 1st day of August next, nor sell them to any person whom they shall have reason to suspect designs to kill them within the said time; and that, on proof being made to this Committee of any person or persons contravening the above recommendation, the delinquent or delinquents shall be held up to the publick as enemies to their country, and all persons prohibited from having any dealings or correspondence with them.

Ordered, That the above Resolve be published in the New-York publick Newspapers.

Extract from the Minutes:

SAMUEL HAYES, Secretary.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read May 21, 1776.]

New-York, May 20, 1776.

SIR: Your favour of the 16th, with several resolutions of Congress therein enclosed, I had not the honour to receive till last night. Before the receipt, I did not think myself at liberty to wait on Congress, although I wished to do it, and therefore the more readily consented to General Gates’s attendance, as I knew there were many matters which could be better explained in a personal interview than in whole volumes of letters. He accordingly set out for Philadelphia yesterday morning, and must have been too far advanced on his journey (as he proposed expedition) to be overtaken. I shall, if I can settle some matters which are in agitation with the Provincial Congress here,* follow to-morrow or next day; and therefore, with every sentiment of regard, attachment and gratitude to Congress for their kind attention to the means which they think may be conducive to my health, and with particular thanks to you for the politeness of your invitation to your house, conclude, dear sir, your most obedient and obliged humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

GENERAL ORDERS.

Head-Quarters, New-York, May 18, 1776.

Lieutenant Grover, of the Second Regiment, (commanded by Colonel James Reed,) having been tried by a General Court-Martial, for “insulting Captain Wilkinson, disobeying his orders, and abusive language,” was found guilty of the charge, and yet mulcted of half a month’s pay only, a punishment so exceedingly disproportioned to the offence that the General resolved to lay the whole proceeding before the Congress, and know whether they inclined to continue an officer in their service who had misbehaved in so capital a point. But Lieutenant Grover appearing to be thoroughly convinced of the error of his conduct, and having promised strict obedience to the orders of his Captain, and other superior officers for the time to come, the General (before any determination of Congress could be had upon the matter) ordered him to be released, and to join his Regiment; but has it now in command from Congress to signify to the Army that no promotion upon vacancies shall take place merely by succession, without their authority; inasmuch as they have reserved, and will exercise, the power of giving commissions to persons of merit, regardless of any claim by succession. Of this all officers are desired to take notice, as it may serve on the one hand to prevent the dissatisfaction which have but too frequently arisen from an idea that all promotions should be confined to Regiments, and go in regular succession; and because, on the other hand, it opens a large field for the rewarding of merit, which ought, and is hoped will be a powerful incitement to the brave and active to signalize themselves in the noble cause they are engaged in. This determination of Congress the Adjutant-General is to communicate to the officers commanding in different Departments, that it may be published to the different Regiments and Corps under their respective commands.

The General has the pleasure to inform the Recruiting Officers of the Regiments that came from the Eastward (no allowance having been heretofore made them) that, upon a representation of their case, Congress have been pleased to allow a dollar and one-third of a dollar for each good and able-bodied man that shall be recruited for the purpose of completing the several Regiments, as a compensation for their trouble and expense; and that the same allowance will be made those officers who have heretofore inlisted men, upon the new establishment, excluding all boys, and such men as were inlisted in camp out of the old Regiments. The several officers which have been employed in this service are to settle this matter, under these exceptions, with their several Colonels or Commanders, and to give in rolls of the men’s names by them respectively inlisted. The utmost care and exactness is recommended to the officers claiming this allowance, as proof will be required, agreeable to the above direction.

Head-Quarters, New-York, May 19, 1776.

The Brigadier-Generals are desired to make their respective Brigades perfectly acquainted with the alarm-posts, which have been reported to the Commander-in-Chief. But in case of an alarm, the respective Regiments are to draw up opposite to their encampments or quarters, until they receive orders to repair to the alarm-posts above referred to. The following signals are to give the alarm to all the troops (as well Regulars as Militia) and the inhabitants of the city, viz: In the day time two cannon to be fired from the rampart at Fort George, and a flag hoisted from the top of General Washington’s Head-Quarters. In the night time, two cannon fired as above from Fort George, and two lighted lanterns hoisted from the top of Head-Quarters, as aforesaid.

* IN ProvinciaL Congress, New-York, May 18, 1776.

Ordered, That Mr. Scott, Mr. Morris, Colonel Remsen, Mr. Cuyler, and Mr. Wickham, or any three or more of them, be a Secret Committee on behalf of this Congress, to confer and advise with the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Forces in this Colony on all such matters relative to the execution of his office as he shall choose to mention or communicate to them.