of Legislature cause much needless expense, two ways: First, as there are more persons to maintain; and, second, as they waste time, and prolong a session by their contentions. Besides, it is a great absurdity that one branch of a Legislature, that can negative all the rest, should be the principal Executive power in the State. There can be but little chance for proper freedom, where the making and executing the laws of a State lie in the same hand, and that not of the people in general, but of a single person. The Legislative and Executive power in every Province ought to be kept as distinct as possible. Wise, experienced, and publick-spirited persons should be in places of power, and if so, they must be sought out, chosen, and introduced. For this reason there ought not to be a number that are hereditary, for wisdom is not a birthright; nor a number put in place for life, for men’s abilities and manners may change. Rulers should be frequently chose to their office. A Provincial Congress is the whole Province met by Representatives; and there is no need of a representative of a King, for we have none; nor can there be need of a Council to represent the House of Lords, for we have not, and hope never shall have, a hereditary nobility, different from the general body of the people; but if we admit different branches of the Legislature, there is danger that there may be in time.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL SULLIVAN.

Albany, June 13, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL: Your favour of the 6th, enclosing despatches for his Excellency General Washington, I received about six yesterday afternoon. They came in a lucky moment to relieve us from the anxiety we had been thrown into by a letter from General Arnold, of the same date, received two hours before, and which I had just enclosed in one of mine to General Washington, and was on the point of sending off by express, when your comforting letter came to hand.

I am extremely happy to find that the chaos and confusion which has reigned so triumphant in our Army, to the disgrace of our arms, are on the point of being expelled, and that good order, with all its beauties and train of never-failing consequences, is on the point of being established. We already owe you much, my dear General, and hope our debt will daily increase.

Enclosed, you have two resolutions of Congress. I have not much hopes that either will have the happy effect Congress expect. If the Militia will come at all, they will (unless they have bad the small-pox) only weaken, rather than strengthen your Army. I wish troops had been sent into Canada, and the Militia employed at New-York. Should any come up, they will be immediately sent unto you; and that no delay may be occasioned by drawing the batteaus over the carrying-places at the north end of Lake George, I have ordered all the batteaus to Ticonderoga, that they may be sent to Skencsborough by the time the Militia may arrive there, or to St. Johns, if you should want them, which I now hope you will not. The number is about one hundred and twenty.

I am this day to meet Mr. Douw and Mr. Edwards, my colleague Commissioners of Indian Affairs, when we shall try to fall upon some measures for engaging the Indians in our cause, although 1 have not the least hopes of success, as the few friends we have amongst them are threatened by the others, who are actually collecting at Oswego, with an intent to fall on our frontiers—the account of which brought me down here. I have sent Colonel Dayton and his regiment to the German Flats, where a body of Militia is also collected, and am preparing with secrecy to take post at the place where Fort Stanwix formerly stood.

Shoes, shirts, and such other necessaries as can be procured, are now collecting, and will be immediately sent up to you.

Four or five French merchant ships are arrived at New-York, and we expect more will soon be in. It is imagined that France and Spain will attack Portugal : if so, it will be a fine diversion in our favour.

Adieu, my dear General.

I am, with great esteem, your most obedient, humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To General Sullivan.

NATHANIEL SHAW, JUN., TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

New-London, June 13, 1776.

SIR: I have a sloop that is outward bound, and have put on board eight carriage-guns, and men sufficient to fight them. The bearer, Stephen Tinker, is to command. It is probable we may fall in with some homeward-bound ships, and, that we might make the most of what should come in our way, I should be glad to have a commission, that we may be entitled to have secure what prizes we may bring in. The vessel is now ready to sail, and, if any bonds are required, will execute them.

I am, sir, your humble servant,

NATHANIEL SHAW, Jun.

To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esquire, Governour of the Colony of Connecticut, at Hartford.

To the Honourable General Assembly of the Colony of CONNECTICUT, to be convened by special order of his Honour the Governour, on the 14th day of JUNE, 1776.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOURS: In this advanced time of life to which I am arrived, and attended with the common infirmities that never fail to a man of sixty-five years of age, together with the arduous task of a military life in this day of trouble, I feel myself, by reason of age and a declining constitution, unable to attend the duties of my office, or command of the Eighth Regiment of the Militia in this Colony, in which I have had the honour and pleasure of serving the publick as a Field-Officer for almost thirty years past. It now appears to be absolutely necessary that men in the military command should have full strength and vigour on their side sufficient to endure the hardships of a most active post in the military department. I therefore beg your Honours to accept this my resignation of my office of Colonel of the said regiment, that the same may be filled up with some person who can better serve in that important command, than your Honours’ most obedient, humble servant,

SAMUEL COIT.

Preston, June 13, 1776.

COMMODORE HOPKINS TO CAPTAIN JONES.

Newport, June 13, 1776.

SIR: You are, with the Providence under your command, to go to sea with the sloop, and follow the enclosed directions. You may send any vessels into port, for trial, that you may think are acting detrimental to the interest of the American States.

You are first to convoy the Fly as far westward as Fisher’s Island, and any vessels that may be at Stonington back, by Point Judith, or in sight of this harbour.

ESEK HOPKINS.

To John Paul Jones, Esq., Commander of the Providence.

In Marine Committee, Philadelphia, May 31, 1776.

SIR: The Marine Committee have directed Captain John Bradford, in Massachusetts-Bay, their agent, to send to this city from Newburyport one hundred and twenty chaldrons of coal.

You are hereby directed to send one of the armed vessels under your command to that port, to take under convoy and conduct safe into Delaware-Bay the vessel or vessels in which the said coal may be shipped.

JOHN HANCOCK, Chairman.

To Esek Hopkins, Esq.

JOSEPH HAWLEY TO ELBRIDGE GERRY.

Watertown, June 13, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Last week I received your valued and much esteemed favour of the 25th of May, and marked all the contents; and notwithstanding delays and impediments which you mention, I yet flatter myself that your Congress, like the Calvinistick Christian, will go on from one degree of grace to another, till you arrive at perfection. You know that a great part of the pleasure of life arises from surmounting difficulties and overcoming opposition.

You cannot declare Independence too soon; but the Confederation must be formed with great deliberation. When the present House here called, last week, for the instructions