the President. The money mentioned in our last is not yet gone forward, not having had an opportunity, but to leave in a few days.

We are, with great respect, your most obedient servants,

To Meshech Weare, Esq.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO COLONEL MACINTOSH.

Philadelphia, June 4, 1776.

SIR: I received your favour of 16th February by yesterday’s post, with its enclosure, for which, and the information respecting the state of your Province, I return you my thanks. I am exceedingly sorry for the difficulties you have had to encounter, and that they are not yet all at an end; but I am hopeful by your perseverance and activity they will be surmounted, and that things will assume a more pleasing appearance.

Being far removed from the department you are in, it will be impossible for me to know or transmit the orders necessary for regulating your battalion; I must therefore refer you to Major-General Lee, who has been appointed to command in the Southern District, and to Brigadier-General Armstrong, in South-Carolina, who are more immediately over you. They will give you from time to time such instructions as appear to them proper and likely to advance the publick good, which you must make the rule of your conduct. You will be particular and punctual in making your returns to these gentlemen, who will forward them to me. And trusting that everything in your power will be done to promote the common cause and interest of the United Colonies, I am, sir, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Colonel Lachlan MacIntosh, Savannah, Georgia.

COLONEL TUPPER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Sloop Hester, June 4, 1776.

SIR: There were two ships arrived within the Hook yesterday. There is now at the Hook eight sail of square-rigged vessels, and five small craft, besides the Asia and her small tender. It is thought (but we cannot certainly determine) that three of the vessels which lately arrived are the Roebuck, the Mercury, and the Liverpool. Yesterday morning three men made their escape from the piratical fleet, by the way of the Hook to Middletown. Immediately upon hearing of it yesterday, I sent an express for the men, that I might send them to Head-Quarters, to be examined; but the people had stupidly let them pass toward Philadelphia, without asking them scarcely a question. However, thus much the officer which I sent picked up, that provision was very short on board the fleet, and that they were reduced to half allowance. May God increase their wants. Nothing extraordinary has happened, or has been discovered.

I am your Excellency’s most obedient, and most humble servant,

BENJAMIN TUPPER, Lieutenant-Colonel.

To His Excellency General Washington.

COLONEL TUPPER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Sloop Hester, June 4, 1776-6 o’clock P. M.

SIR: The enclosed is the original, which I have just received, and thought proper to send it by express, by land. It is most likely that the Indian ship and sloop mentioned will sail out under convoy of said Mercury. I shall send to the armed vessels on the south side of Long-Island to look out and do the best they can. However, if it should please your Excellency to send an express to Admiral Hopkins, and he should think proper to waylay them off Nantucket-Shoals, I trust he might meet with success.

Three men more last night deserted from the Lively man-of-war, which is directly from Halifax, but the stupid souls at Middletown have not yet sent them up.

N. B. It is not likely said vessels will sail quite so soon as the deserters informed. I shall keep a good look-out; while I have the honour to be your Excellency’s most obedient, humble servant,

BENJAMIN TUPPER,
Col. of 21st Reg’t, and Commander at Amboy.

To His Excellency General Washington.

A. B. LIVINGSTON TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Calenda, Long-Island, June 4, 1776.

SIR: I have just discovered a criminal correspondence with a person on board the Dutchess-of-Gordon. One Mrs. Hatch, formerly the Governour’s housekeeper, is a person who has a principal agency in this affair. She resides in New-York. It is thought necessary that she should be secured until morning, when I will go to New-York, and relate the whole affair. One Mrs. Hill, whose husband is on board the Dutchess, resides near me, and is also a principal in this villany. General Greene will immediately take the necessary measures respecting the latter.

I send this in a great hurry, to prevent the parties giving each other intelligence. I am yours, affectionately,

A. B. LIVINGSTON.

To Colonel McDougall.

MEETING OF COMMITTEES OF BROOKHAVEN, ETC., SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW-YORK.

At a meeting of the Joint Committee of Brookhaven, Manor of St. George’s, and Patentship of Meritches, assembled in a full meeting, on the 4th ofJune, A. D. 1776:

Captain Jonathan Baker and Stephen Fountain being brought before the Committee, and a great number of evidences being sworn and examined and cross-examined; and at the close of a fair trial, they stand charged by the state of the evidence against them of being enemies to their country, and, as such, had taken up arms and held correspondence with our enemies on board the Ministerial ships of war, and had very much promoted discord among the inhabitants, and had seduced many to forsake the cause of their country; and had been, with many others, on board of the vessel of Nathan Gyer, which they had procured for the purpose of going on board the Ministerial ships of war, from on board which vessel, while on their passage, they had fled on shore, while she was pursued; and that they were taken while they were privately lurking in secret places on shore, after said vessel, with their guns, &c., on board, had been taken by Continental troops in the South Bay, off against Hempstead, and since condemned as a prize.

The foregoing is extracted from the Minutes by me,

EBENEZER DAYTON, Clerk of said Committee.

To the Committee of New-Haven, for their information.

SUFFOLK County and Province of NEW-YORK, to WILLIAM CLARK Lieutenant of the Minute Company in BROOK-HAVEN:

You are hereby required, by the Joint Committee of Brookhaven, Manor of St. George’s and the Patentship of Meritches, to take with you what assistance you see proper, and safely convey the bodies of Jonathan Baker and Stephen Fountain, and them deliver into the care of the Committee of New-Haven, as persons that have acted inimical to the liberties of America in a most glaring manner, and ought to be taken strict care of; but in case they should not be received by the Committee in New-Haven, then you are in such case to deliver the above persons to the Provincial Congress or Committee of Safety in New-York.

Signed by order of Committee:

JOSIAH SMITH, P. T.

Brookhaven, June 4, 1776.

INDIAN CHIEFS TO HENRY WISNER.

Onenhoghkwage, June 4, 1776.

BROTHER: We received your letter with joy, wherein you manifest your great satisfaction with our disposition to lie still and bear no part in your disputes. This is our determination. We are concerned for your welfare, and lameat your distressed circumstances.

We return you thanks that, in the midst of your troubles, you remember us still, and are devising means to supply our wants, both of powder and goods. We thank you for the sample of powder you sent us. We judge the powder is good. You inform us that you have erected powder works, and that you hope shortly to be able to supply us. We wish you success, and bid you welcome to trade with us, both in powder and goods. We hope you will bring us powder, lead, and flints, as soon as you can; for if we don’t

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