Although it is much to be wished that the pay of the Eastern troops could have been reduced, yet as that measure would naturally give great and general disgust, and might be attended with the worst consequences in our present situation, the Congress chose rather to increase the pay of the other troops than to run the risk of breaking up the Eastern Army.

Every State or Government should punctually perform the terms of inlistment on which the soldier enters into service. In this view of the matter it would have been neither honourable nor equitable to have abridged the pay of the Eastern troops; nor can any reason be urged why the other troops, who do the same duty and are exposed to the same dangers, should not also receive the same pay.

The particular mode of inlisting the Pennsylvania and York troops originated with their and your Delegates, and as they moved it Congress could not but gratify them.

I am extremely happy that any part of my conduct should meet with the approbation of the Convention of New-York. I seek only to do my duty, but find an additional pleasure if, in the discharge of it, I merit the praise of the worthy and the good.

I have the honour to be, with respect, gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Honourable Convention of New-York.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO MASSACHUSETTS ASSEMBLY.

Philadelphia, June 11, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: The Congress have this day received advices, and are fully convinced that it is the design of General Howe to make an attack upon the city of New-York as soon as possible.

The attack, they have reason to believe, will be made within ten days. I am therefore most earnestly to request you, by order of Congress, to call forth your Militia, as requested in my letter of the 4th instant, and to forward them with all despatch to the city of New-York, and that you direct them to march in companies, or in any other way that will hasten their arrival there. The important day is at hand that will decide not only the fate of the city of New-York, but, in all probability, of the whole Province. On such an occasion there is no necessity to use arguments with Americans. Their feelings, I well know, will prompt them to their duty, and the sacredness of the cause urge them to the field.

The greatest exertions of vigour and expedition are requiite to prevent our enemies from getting possession of that town; I must therefore again most earnestly request you, in the name and by the authority of Congress, to employ every mode in your power to send forward the Militia, agreeable to the requisition of Congress, and that you do it with all the despatch which the infinite importance of the cause demands.

I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obedient, and very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Assembly of Massachusetts-Bay.

(Same to the Assembly of Connecticut, to the Convention of New-York, and to the Convention of New-Jersey.)

ELBRIDGE GERRY TO JAMES WARREN.

Philadelphia, June 11, 1776.

My DEAR SIR: Yesterday, after a long debate, the question of Independence was postponed until the 1st of July, in order to give the Assemblies of the Middle Colonies an opportunity to take off their restrictions and let their Delegates unite in the measure. In the interim, will go on plans for Confederation and foreign alliance.

If these slow people had hearkened to reason in time, this work would have long ere now been completed, and the disadvantage arising from the want of such measures been wholly avoided; but Providence has undoubtedly wise ends in coupling together the vigorous and the indolent; the first are retarded, but the latter are urged on, and both come together to the goal.

To the obstructions in Council are owing in part our military misfortunes, which, however, we must use as fresh incitements to greater exertions.

To James Warren, Esq.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE DELEGATES TO MESHECH WEARE.

Philadelphia, June 11, 1776.

SIR: We some time ago signified our wish to know the sentiments of our Colony respecting Independence. The question has been agitated in Congress. A resolution passed yesterday to choose a Committee to prepare and bring in a declaration for that purpose on the 1st of July, by which time it is expected that all the Delegates who have not already been instructed, will receive ample powers. As this is a subject of the greatest importance, we beg we may be furnished with the sentiments of our constituents, as we wish to act agreeable to them, let our own be what they may. We shall be in full expectation of an answer by the return of post.

We have the honour to be your most obedient servants,

JOSIAH BARTLETT,
WILLIAM WHIPPLE.

To the Honourable Colonel Weare.

SAMUEL TUCKER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Burlington, New-Jersey, June 11, 1776—A.M.

SIR: I am honoured with your favour of yesterday, per express; and you may rely on my doing everything in my power to carry the resolution of the honourable Congress into effect with that expedition you so earnestly press, as soon as a sufficient number of members are got together, which I have the greatest reason to believe will be at three o’clock this afternoon. We met last evening and this morning, but for want of a quorum, could not proceed to any business of consequence.

You may rely on my urging the mode your Excellency has pointed out to be pursued in the marching of our Militia, as I shall be happy in contributing the smallest mite towards aiding the general cause under your command; and have the honour to be your most obedient, humble servant,

SAMUEL TUCKER,

To His Excellency General Washington.

NEW-YORK CONGRESS TO THEIR DELEGATES IN CONTINENTAL CONGRESS

[Read before Committee of the Whole Congress, July 1, 1776.]

GENTLEMEN: Your letter of the 8th instant, by express, has been communicated to the Congress; they are unanimously of opinion that you are not authorized by your instructions to give the sense of this Colony on the question 6f declaring it to be, and continue, an independent State; nor does this Congress incline to instruct you on that point; it being a matter of doubt whether their constituents intended to vest them with a power to deliberate and determine on that question. Indeed, the majority of this Congress are clearly of opinion that they have no such authority.

As measures have lately been taken, and are now pursuing, for obtaining the consent and authority of the people for establishing a new and regular form of Government, the necessity of which seems generally to be acknowledged, this Congress think it would be imprudent to require the sentiments of the people relative to the question of Independence, lest it should create division, and have an unhappy influence on the other.

The earliest opportunity will, however, be embraced of ascertaining the sentiments of the inhabitants of this Colony on that important question, and of obtaining their consent to vest the Congress of the Colony, for the time being, with authority to deliberate and determine on that and every other matter of general concern; and to instruct their Delegates in Continental Congress thereupon.

I am, gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble servant. By order:

NATHANIEL WOODHULL, President.

To the New-York Delegates in Continental Congress.