the first approach up the river should then be either enclosed or inaccessible; and as a further security to this part of the work, it will be necessary that a barrack, sufficient to contain one hundred men, be erected in the spot marked H, which is entirely covered from the river.

At Fort Montgomery I believe it will be best that the whole of the front lines, from B to C, in plan No. 2, be completed in the manner proposed.

That the Magazine D (the walls of which are seven feet thick, and already raised to their proper height) should be finished with a proper arch of brick and stone, and then covered with earth and sodwork.

The, Barracks E, which are begun and considerably advanced, should also be finished, especially as the cellars under them will make excellent magazines for salt provisions.

I would also advise that the hill on the opposite side of the creek, and at the mouth thereof, be cleared in such a manner that an Engineer can lay out a proper regular work on it, if hereafter it be found necessary.

I have shown this to Colonel Putnam, and he thinks these are the most necessary things to be done at present.

I am your Excellency’s most obedient servant,

STIRLING.

ROBERT H. HARRISON TO GENERAL WARD.

New-York, June 10, 1776.

SIR: I am commanded by his Excellency to request you to send immediately to this place Lieutenant Machin, of the train, provided he does not. belong to either of the Artillery companies in Boston. If he does not, he will come with all possible despatch.

His Excellency has not time to write you fully on matters of business this morning, and must defer it till another opportunity. I am, sir, yours, &c.,

ROBERT H. HARRISON.

To Major-General Ward, Boston.

NEW-YORK CONVENTION TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read in Congress June 10, 1776.]

In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 7, 1776.

SIR: Your letter of the 4th day of June, instant, enclosing certain important resolves of the honourable the Continental Congress, of the 1st, 3d, and 4th instant, was delivered to me this morning, and immediately communicated to the Convention of this Colony.

They have directed me to present to the Congress their warmest acknowledgments for the unwearied attention they have paid to the welfare and happiness of the United Colonies, and to assure them that this Colony will most cheerfully endeavour to comply with all their requisitions.

Persuaded that the pay allowed the Eastern Army during the last campaign was unreasonably high, this Convention received great satisfaction from the measures taken by the Congress (as they supposed) with a view to reduce it. The inferior allowance of pay given to the troops raised in this Colony, those of New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the lower Counties, was considered as a precedent which would soon become general, and it was expected that the patriotism and laudable pride of the other Colonies would not long permit them to accept higher wages than their neighbours for fighting in the same glorious cause and for the attainment of the same great and valuable object.

This Convention are most sensibly affected by the continuance of that discrimination; and though ready to consent to a still greater reduction of pay, provided it be general, yet a due regard to the honour of this Colony will no longer permit them, by a silent acquiescence in so odious a discrimination, to give posterity reason to conclude that it was established on just and proper principles.

This Convention readily confess the merit of the Eastern forces, but have as yet no reason to believe it exceeds that of the troops raised in the other Colonies; and therefore claim of the Congress, as a matter of justice, that they be put on one general footing. It would neither be wise nor honest to conceal from the Congress the discontents that have arisen from the continuance of this invidious distinction; they are too great and too general not to injure the service, and therefore merit the notice and attention of those who alone can remove them.

By this unfortunate circumstance the levies of this Colony have been, and in all probability will continue to be retarded; and there is now a great number of the inhabitants of this Colony (invited by higher pay) actually receiving arms in the New-England Regiments.

The resolves received this morning have been considered, and a Committee appointed to ascertain the quotas of men to be furnished by the different Counties, in order to complete the number required of this Colony; which Committee hath made report on that subject, and the said report been considered and agreed to. But it appearing from those resolves that although large detachments from the Militia of several other Colonies are also required for the service, yet there is an utter silence as to the quantum of pay to be allowed them, this Convention being unable further to proceed in their business, are under the necessity of ordering one of their members (Mr. Gouverneur Morris) to repair immediately to Philadelphia, in order to obtain from the Congress information on that head, and whether the same difference of wages, now unhappily subsisting between the regular troops, is to be extended to the Militia of the several Colonies. Should that be the case, this Colony will be exceedingly embarrassed; for while the regard due to its honour is suffered to clash with the regard due to the general cause, there is reason to fear its exertions will be feeble, and the harmony and mutual confidence of the Colonies probably diminished. The Convention, therefore, earnestly request the favour of the Congress speedily to dismiss Mr. Morris, they being very desirous of forming their regiments of Militia without delay.

I am directed, sir, by the Convention, to return you their thanks for your polite letter, and to assure you that they considered the remarks and exhortations contained in it as additional proofs of that zeal which you have ever manifested for the American cause.

I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

NATHANIEL WOODHULL, President.

To the Hon. John Hancock, Esq., President of the Continental Congress, at Philadelphia.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM NEW-YORK TO A GENTLEMAN IN PHILADELPHIA, DATED JUNE 10, 1776.

Colonel Fanning’s negro man is taken up and sent to Jail; he is to be examined this day, and make no doubt some discoveries will be made. He says his master sent him up to take care of his horses. His master is on board the Dutchess-of-Gordon. There are one hundred and fifty Tories taken prisoners in Tryon County, and sent down to Albany. We hear from Albany that the Mayor of that city and fifteen other persons are sent to Jail for drinking success to the King of Great Britain, &c. Friday last, a boat was taken by our people, coming from the Dutchess-of-Gordon; the men are taken care of; some letters were found on board, and newspapers, for some of Governour Tryon’s friends in this city. The latest date is the 28th of March. I could not possibly obtain one for you, but have extracted the following paragraphs from them.*

* March 25.—This day, by virtue of a commission from his Majesty, the following Bills received the Royal assent, viz: The Bill for punishing Mutiny and Desertion, and for the better payment of the Army in North-America. Saturday last three Companies of the Royal Regiment of Artillery embarked at Woolwich for North-America. This morning the first division of the Guards, destined for North-America, marched from their quarters contiguous to Wimbledon, for Portsmouth. The second division will march on Wednesday.

Gosport, March 21.—Arrived, a transport with troops on board, and came into the harbour. It is said that Lord Howe will hoist his flag on board the Emerald frigate, and proceed without loss of time to Boston, and the Eagle to go after him.

March 26.—On the 17th instant six sail of ships from Glasgow, with new-raised recruits, and several transports from London, arrived at Cork, where they are to take in their lading of provisions, and proceed to America under convoy. His Majesty’s frigate Ambuscade, of thirty-two guns, is now fitting out at Chatham, to carry Sir George M Cartney to his Government of Dominica; she is afterwards to join the fleet on the North-American station. Orders are sent to Sheerness for his Majesty’s ship Rainbow, of forty-four guns, to be fitted out for immediate service; she is already commissioned, and the command given to Sir George Collier. Last Sunday, all the men in Deptford yard, and some additional hands, were employed in shipping warlike stores, &c, to America, and it will be some days before the many transports lying there can be loaded, such quantities are sending thither.

All the eight British Regiments, viz: Nineteenth, Twentieth, Twenty-First,