founded; Congress having since determined, as you will find by a resolve herewith transmitted, that you are to employ the Indians wherever you think their services will contribute most to the publick good.

I shall write to the Colonies of New-York, New-Jersey, and Connecticut, to request them to authorize you to call on their Militia, if necessary. My time will not permit me to do it now, as the post will set out directly, and the enclosed resolves were not passed till late yesterday evening.

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

JOHN HANCOCK, President

To His Excellency General Washington.

P. S. A Mustermaster-General, in the room of Mr. Moy-lan, will be appointed this day or to-morrow, and a Deputy will afterwards be sent into Canada.

I beg you will think of the Eastern Department, with respect to General Officers, when your very important concerns will admit.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO JAMES MEASE.

Philadelphia, June 18, 1776.

SIR: I have it in charge from Congress, to direct that you immediately purchase and forward to Stephen Moylan, Esq., Quartermaster-General, in New-York, as much cloth, suitable for tents, as you can procure. The service requires your immediate attention; you will therefore please to lose no time in executing this order.

I am, sir, your most obedient servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To James Mease, Esq., Commissary.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GUNNING BEDFORD.

Philadelphia, June 18, 1776.

SIR: I have it in charge to inform you that the Congress have this day appointed you Mustermaster-General in the Army of the United Colonies, and to direct that you immediately repair to Head-Quarters at New-York, which you will please to notice. Your commission is ready for you.

I am, sir, your most obedient servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Gunning Bedford, Esq., Mustermaster-General.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Philadelphia, June 18, 1776.

SIR: In consequence of your application to Congress respecting the further exchange of prisoners from the ships of war, I am authorized to inform you that the Congress are in sentiment with you that it will be prejudicial to the general service, and that they therefore judge it improper that any further exchange should take place; which you will please to notice accordingly.

I am, sir, your most obedient servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To John Nixon, Esq., Chairman of the Council of Safety of Pennsylvania. —To be communicated.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO COLONEL HASLETT.

Philadelphia, June 18, 1776.

SIR: The two companies which were stationed at Cape May being ordered to join their regiment and proceed to Canada, and the service requiring a constant force there, I have it in charge from the Congress to direct that you immediately order two companies of the battalion of Continental troops under your command to proceed to Cape May, there to protect the inhabitants and the navigation, and to do duty until further order of Congress.

I am, sir, your most obedient servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Colonel Haslett, or Officer commanding the Battalion of Continental troops in Delaware Government.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO CONVENTION OF NEW-JERSEY.

Philadelphia, June 18, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: As it is impossible fully to ascertain the strength of our enemies, or the force destined for the attack of New-York, it is incumbent on us to be prepared to defend ourselves against any number of troops that may be ordered against that place. This, it is apparent, can never be effectually done but by adopting the enclosed resolve, wherein it is recommended by Congress to your Colony to empower the General at New-York to call such part of the Militia to his assistance as may be necessary to repel our enemies.

The great advantages the American cause will receive from the civil power thus lending its aid to the military, and acting in conjunction with it, are too manifest to be mentioned. The whole strength of a Colony may, by this means, be drawn to a point the instant the situation of affairs shall render it necessary.

The Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, while the British troops lay in Boston, passed a resolve, at the request of Congress, similar to that which they now recommend to you.

The Colony of New-Jersey will, I am persuaded, imitate their example on the present occasion, and convince her sister Colonies that in virtue and love of her country, she is determined to be exceeded by none.

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

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Honourable Convention of New-Jersey.

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

To the Honourable the Continental Congress:

The Petition of CHARLES WALKER, of the Island of PROVIDENCE, humbly showeth:

That when Admiral Hopkins arrived at Providence with the Continental Fleet under his command, not having sufficient room in his own ships for the ordnance stores which he found at that place, your Petitioner furnished him with a convenient vessel, for which the Admiral gave your Petitioner a certificate, entitling him to receive of the Congress a full and ample payment of all his accounts against the vessel. That your Petitioner had his accounts properly made out and authenticated under the seal of the Island, but in his voyage to this place had the misfortune to be taken by an English ship of war, and carried into Norfolk to Lord Dunmore, where, fearing ill treatment from the enemies of America if his papers should fall into their hands, they being directed to the Congress, he thought it advisable to throw them into the sea. That your Petitioner having made his escape, and arriving at this place, laid his case before your honourable body, which has been pleased to send to Admiral Hopkins concerning him. But your Petitioner, certain of the great uneasiness his family must be in on his account, and considering that by the time intelligence can be had from the Admiral he may make a voyage to his native country and back again, humbly prays that the Congress will be pleased to grant him such a sum of money, in part payment for the vessel aforesaid, as by sundry copies of accounts, which he has got, may appear to be due, to enable him, with the permission and approbation of their honourable body, to purchase a vessel and cargo of provisions, and to go with it to Providence, with every assurance that a man of integrity can give to return again, God willing, with a cargo of salt, or such other articles as may be useful here.

The premises your Petitioner humbly submits to your wise consideration, and hopes that your honourable body will give a favourable answer to his Petition; and he, as in duty bound, shall ever pray, &c.

Philadelphia, June 18, 1776.

The Honourable Continental Congress, for sundry Accounts and Materials supplied in part for the Sloop ENDEAVOUR,

To CHARLES WALKER, Dr.

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