but, as I doubt not they will appear to every attentive observer, I avoid making a particular mention of them. In what manner it is intended to make the attack, I know not; but as it is to be conducted in this Province by an experienced partisan, I doubt not it will be so well disguised that the mine will be sprung before we discover where it is, unless we are careful enough to avoid every inch of ground that admits of suspicion. I have great confidence in the prudence and skill of the Members of the Assembly. If my suspicions prove to be well-founded, the admonition they afford will not be displeasing to them; if otherwise, the injury to the publick will be slight, if any, and I am persuaded the circumstances I have mentioned will plead my excuse.

Somerset County, New-Jersey, June 6, 1776.

COLONEL HUNTINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Camp, New-York, June 6, 1776.

HONOURED SIR: The mechanicks of the city have voted independence; it is expected the new Congress will follow suit. There will be, I am told, a majority of Presbyterians, which will probably give the representation a different guise from what it has heretofore had. Long-Island has the greatest proportion of Tories, both of its own growth and of adventitious ones, of any part of this Colony; from whence some conjecture that the attack is to be made by that way. It is more likely to be so than not. Notwithstanding the vigilance of our outposts, we are sure there is frequent intercourse between the Asia and the shore, and that they have been supplied with plenty of fresh meat. New guards have lately been set in suspected places, which I hope will prevent any further communication. Our Army is as well prepared to meet the enemy (for its numbers) as ever it has been since its commencement—better discipline, more ammunition and good arms; although, as to the latter article, there is too great a deficiency. One of the battalions of this Colony’s troops, commanded by Colonel Ritzema, has but about sixty arms. There are five companies of the battalion of Colonel Wayne, from Pennsylvania, now here, waiting for arms. The other companies count one of the six battalions gone with General Sullivan to the northward. There is, besides, an entire battalion of Continental troops at Philadelphia without arms. The late arrival of some arms at that place, and the capture of the brave Captain Mugford’s, will in some measure supply these deficiencies. I count large to put down the number of our men fit for action here at five hundred each regiment, which amounts to nine thousand five hundred. Indeed I do not think we could turn out eight thousand well armed. The most important post throughout the continent is to be defended, the greatest and best part of our artillery. The inhabitants promise us three thousand of City Militia; but we do not believe we shall see half so many. If the strength of the Whigs be a match for the Tories, and the Army had nothing to fear from or depend upon within, it is as much as we shall ever experience in our favour. We hear Congress intends a large augmentation. Men may be got at the southward, but not arms.

I have been more free in mentioning our capital defect to you than I ought to be to almost any one else. It is agreed by all that the Jerseys have a good Militia, well armed and trained. General Washington has set no time for his return to camp. The Commissary-General and Quartermaster-General were expected last evening. We are told that Generals Gates and Mifflin are to act in their former departments for the present. It is left by Congress with our General to send whom he thinks fit to Boston.

7th—Our General, &c, came in yesterday. Brother Justin will write you all the news from Congress.

I am, with love and duty to mother, &c., your affectionate son,

JEDEDIAH HUNTINGTON.

To the Hon. Jonathan Trumbull, Esq.

NEW-TORK COMMITTEE.

New-York Committee-Chamber, June 6, 1776.

Whereas complaint was made to the General Committee for the City and County, on the 3d day of May last, against Mangil Minthorn, a shop-keeper in Batteau street, for violating a resolve of the honourable Continental Congress in the sale of Tea; and as he made oath that he had not then seen the resolve of the Congress or this Committee,—in tenderness to him and his family, supposing him to have no design to counteract the said resolve of Congress, and on his promising them not to be guilty of the like again, did agree that the publication of his affidavit would be satisfactory for that offence. But they have since, on the fullest proof, found that, by an avaricious principle, he has not only violated his promise, but that he is so lost to all publick virtue and love for his country, as that he not only in several instances has again violated the resolves of the Continental Congress, by selling that detestable article of Tea at a higher price than by them limited, but also has said several disrespectful things of the resolve of that body; this Committee, therefore, in consequence of the trust reposed in them, are obliged to publish to the world that Mangil Minthorn is by them unanimously voted, and ought by the publick to be considered and treated, as an enemy to the American cause; and consequently ought to be precluded from all trade and intercourse with the inhabitants of these United Colonies.

Ordered, That this advertisement be printed in all the newspapers published in this City.

Extract from the Minutes:

JOSEPH WINTER, Secretary.

ALBANY COMMITTEE TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Albany Committee-Chamber, June 6, 1776.

HONOURABLE SIR: At the time when Ticonderoga was taken last year, the Committee, fully apprized of the necessity of having a body of troops for the defence of that fortress, raised four companies; at which time John Visscher was the first who offered his service, and in a few days raised a company, with which he marched to the northward. He was soon afterwards arranged in the Second Battalion of the New-York forces, as the first or oldest Captain, in which capacity he has served at St. Johns and at Quebeck, until the beginning of last spring, when he was promoted to a Majority. We beg leave to observe further, that in the late war against France he had been promoted to a Captaincy in the service of this Province. His former rank might therefore reasonably have entitled him to promotion last year.

This Committee, understanding that he has always distinguished himself as an officer of courage, good conduct and fidelity, particularly in the unfortunate retreat from Quebeck, humbly beg leave to recommend him to the honourable Congress for further promotion.

We are, sir, your very humble servants,

By order of the Committee:

JOHN BARCLAY, Chairman.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

CONNECTICUT COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

At a meeting of the Governour and Council of Safety of Connecticut, at Hartford, June 6, 1776, Present:

His Honour the Governour, Honourable Deputy Governour Griswold, E. Dyar, Jabez Huntington, William Williams, Richard Law, Titus Hosmer, Jedediah Elderkin, B. Huntington, and William Hillhouse, Esqs.

Voted, To draw on the Pay-Table for accounts of Captain John Ely, of a Company at New-London, in favour of William Morgan, Esq., for the sum of £154, in discharge of an order by said Ely for said Morgan, 14th March, 1776, for so much borrowed and received for the use of his (said Ely’s) Company, and to be accounted for by him, on settlement of his account and Pay-Rolls. And also voted an Order in like manner on said Ely’s account, in favour of Samuel Shethor, for the sum of £30, for so much borrowed of him by said Ely, for the use aforesaid, and to be accounted for as aforesaid, in discharge of said Ely’s Order for said Shethor, dated 18th March, 1776. (Said two Orders given to Mr. Lane.)

Captains McCleave and Tinker, of the Row Galleys Whiting and Crane, were present, &c., to consult about the manning them, &c.

Voted, That the three Galleys be furnished and manned with fifty men each, including Officers.

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