up the river Potomack, or our bay. We should be exceedingly glad to have our military stores, particularly cannon and small arms, lent the Congress for fitting out the Wasp and Hornet. Enclosed we send you copy of the particulars, and wish you would apply when there is pro­bability of succeeding.

Mr. Smith informs that a vessel under Spanish colours was lately taken in Delaware bay, with fourteen thousand dollars on board; the boxes that contained them are mark­ed W. M., from whence he thinks they belong to Willing & Morris, and that there may be more money on board. He confirms the report of stock on the island, and says a Commissary is appointed to see that the people are paid. Mr. Smith also says that Commodore Hammond and Lord Dunmore both assured him that they had certain intelligence Commissioners were coming over; that he inferred from their discourse they were to treat with the Congress. He also says that they told him a very powerful fleet was ex­pected with the troops from England; that Hudson’s ship was with the fleet now at Gwinn’s Island; that she was not yet condemned, a witness being wanting that was on board the Liverpool frigate, whom Dunmore told Mr. Smith could prove that the Congress had papers on board concealed in a log of wood, which probably would condemn her.

We wish to hear from you by every good opportunity; and are, gentlemen, your most obedient servants.

To the Deputies for Maryland in Congress.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO COMMITTEE OF OBSERVATION FOR BALTIMORE COUNTY .

GENTLEMEN: We received intelligence this morning by the Governour’s Secretary, who is just returned from the Roebuck, off Gwinn’s Island, that the whole fleet which left Norfolk, consisting of about ninety sail, was arrived at Gwinn’s Island; that they had landed their men, and were intrenching themselves; that they found a large supply of fresh provisions on the said island; that no ships-of-war were coming up the bay, only the one for the Governour, which may be expected in five or six days.

We are, &c.

To the Committee of Observation for Baltimore County.

GENERAL PUTNAM TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read June 5. Referred to the Committee on Prisoners ]

Head-Quarters, New-York, June 2, 1776.

SIR: I have ordered Lieutenant Vanwaggenen to take in charge Lieutenant Shock, Lieutenant Neal McLean, and Doctor Gill, prisoners of war, and them safely convey to Philadelphia, and there wait on you for further orders. Lieutenant McLean has behaved exceedingly ill. I sent him the enclosed form of a parole to sign, which he repeat­edly refused; I at last sent him word to sign it, and receive the treatment due a gentleman, or refuse, and travel in irons; he again refused, and I am now put to the disagreeable ne­cessity of sending him forward handcuffed. He is used to it; for attempting to run away while in Canada, he was in the same situation. For particulars, I must refer you to Lieu­tenant Vanwaggenen.

I have the honour to be, with esteem, your most obedient humble servant,

ISRAEL, PUTNAM.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

P. S. The other two Lieutenants, Shock and Doctor Gill, behave as is expected of gentlemen.

Head-Quarters, New-York, June 2, 1776.

I, Lieutenant Neal McLean, being made a prisoner of war by the Army of the Thirteen United Colonies, in North-America, do promise and engage, on my word and honour, and on the faith of a gentleman, to depart from hence with Lieutenant Vanwaggenen to Philadelphia, and there wait the further orders of the honourable Continental Congress.

Head-Quarters, New-York, June 2, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL: These you will receive by Dr. Gill and Lieutenant Shock, who were made prisoners at St. Johns; they have both behaved exceedingly well, and I could wish they might receive as kind treatment as can be shown to prisoners of war. Lieutenant McLean has be­haved very ill, which has occasioned his being sent in irons to Philadelphia; no treatment can be to bad for such a villain.

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

ISRAEL PUTNAM.

To His Excellency General Washington.

P. S. Lieutenant Vanwaggenen, who has in charge the prisoners, will give your Excellency the particulars of Lieu­tenant McLean’s conduct. No ships arrived since I wrote by express yesterday, nor other news of importance.

EZRA L’HOMMEDIEU TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Southold, June 2, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Enclosed you have the nomination of the Field-Officers of this battalion; they are promoted according to their rank; and I hope we shall now be peaceable re­specting our Militia. You have also a return of four offi­cers for the Fifth Company, occasioned by the Captain of the company being nominated a Major. The Field-Offi­cers desire you would send their commissions by first op­portunity, (which likely will be the bearer,) as they want to have a general training before the busy season comes on. I wrote you some time ago respecting the Collector’s office; if any difficulty should attend appointing that person, no great inconveniency would attend if it was postponed for the present, as but few vessels go from here. I conclude you are now very busy, and are thinking about instituting a new form of Government for the Colony, a measure which most people see the necessity of at present. Should be glad to hear from you, and know how our affairs are at the northward. We have so many accounts here that we do not know upon what to depend.

I am your very humble servant,

EZRA L’HOMMEDIEU.

To General Nathaniel Woodhull, New-York.

GENERAL THOMPSON TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Camp at Sorel, June 2, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL: The news of the country you will hear from the honourable Commissioners of Congress. The prospect is rather unfavourable on our side at present, but I hope will clear up. On the night of the 31st ultimo, I re­ceived an account of General Carleton’s having passed the Rapids of Richelieu whilst I was at Chambly attending a council of war. I made no delay in setting out for this place, and arrived in time to prevent any bad consequences following the intelligence here.

Having received information that Colonel McLean, with about eight hundred Regulars and Canadians, had advanced as far up as the Three Rivers, I have sent off Colonel St. Clair, with between six and seven hundred men, to attack his camp, if it can be done with the least probability of success. This may be a means to prevent the Canadians and savages from taking up arms against us, which they begin already to do, and might otherwise in a little time increase the number of the enemy to a very formidable force. Colonel St. Clair is an officer of great experience, and I make no doubt he will acquit himself well of his command.

I have written to General Arnold at Montreal to send the Pennsylvania troops, in number about three hundred, from thence to join me here; and likewise to the Baron to send from St. Johns the first regiment that arrives there. With those troops I may be able to make the most advan­tage of Colonel St. Glair’s success, if he should prove for­tunate, or support a retreat if driven to that necessity.

Had I arrived in this country two weeks sooner with my reinforcement, I think we could have prevented General Carleton’s passing Deschambault this summer. Three thousand men could have defended Canada at that place better than ten thousand can now we are out of possession of it. I now begin to entertain doubts of our ability to keep the Province. Our artillery is lost, and the New-England troops are so much infected with or afraid of the small-pox as almost to prevent their doing duty. Could I have the command of the Jersey and Pennsylvania Regiments, I still believe, if I did not keep the country, it would require at