you will be pleased to return his name as one of the Field Officers of the regiment for the approbation of Congress.

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

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Honourable Convention of New-York.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO CONTENTION OF NEW-YORK.

Philadelphia, June 21, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I do myself the honour of enclosing, in obedience to the commands of Congress, sundry resolutions, to which I beg leave to request your attention.

I have only time to observe, in general, that it is totally impossible the American troops should be on a respectable footing, or that they should render any very essential services to their country, unless the United Colonies on their part will take care to have them well appointed, and equipped with everything necessary for an army. In this view of the matter, the enclosed resolve respecting the mode of providing proper clothing for our troops is most certainly of the greatest importance, and I make no doubt will appear in the same light to you, and claim your immediate and closest attention.

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

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Convention of New-York.

[Same to the Assembly of Connecticut, to the Assembly of Rhode-Island, to the Assembly of Massachusetts-Bay, and to the Assembly of New-Hampshire. ]

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Philadelphia, June 21, 1776.

SIR: The Congress, having the greatest reason to believe there has been very gross misconduct in the management of our affairs in Canada, have come to a resolution to have a general inquiry made into the behaviour of the officers employed on that expedition. The honour of the United Colonies, and a regard for the publick good, call loudly for such an inquiry to be set on foot. I am, therefore, directed to request, after having made the inquiry agreeably to the enclosed resolve, you will transmit the result, together with the proofs, to Congress.

The opinion that an officer cannot be tried by a Court-Martial after his resignation, for offences while he held a commission—so dangerous to the service, and particularly destructive in our Army, where the short inlistment of the troops might furnish temptation to crimes from the prospect of impunity—has been this day reprobated by Congress.

I have written to the Convention of New-York on the subject of the enclosed resolve respecting another regiment to be raised in. that Colony. The terms on which the commissions are to be granted are extremely well calculated to excite the officers to exert themselves to fill up their companies.

I have likewise written to the respective Colonies, and have sent copies of the enclosed resolve recommending to them to provide clothes for the troops of their Colonies. These, or such articles of them as you shall want, the Congress have empowered you to draw for on the Assemblies and Conventions, from time to time, as you shall judge necessary. I have represented to them that it is totally impossible the American Army should ever be on a respectable footing, or that they should render such essential services to their country as we expect and desire, unless the United Colonies will, on their part, take care that they are well appointed and equipped with everything necessary for an army.

General Wooster, it is the order of Congress, should be permitted to return to his family.

I have delivered Mr. Visscher his commission as Lieutenant-Colonel in the regiment commanded by Colonel Nicolson, and directed him to wait on you upon his arrival at New-York.

Apprehending that such of the resolves of Congress as respect the conduct of the Army are executed in consequence of orders issued by you, I have omitted sending to General Schuyler such as respect him, concluding that the directions would go from you; but if it will be any way a relief to you, I will continue to forward them.

I have the honour to be, with much esteem, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To His Excellency General Washington.

22d.—Your letter of the 20th this moment came to hand, and shall be laid before Congress on Monday.

NEW-JERSEY CONVENTION TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
[Read June 24, 1776.]

Burlington, June 21, 1776.

SIR: Agreeable to the resolve of the Continental Congress, we have this day had our late Governour, Mr. Franklin, before us for examination. Enclosed is a copy of the questions we proposed to him. He refused to make any answer, for two reasons: First, because we were an illegal Assembly, which had usurped the Government of the King; Secondly, because we had not treated him as gentlemen; we had resolved that he was an enemy to this country, which we knew to be false; we had made him a prisoner, and had robbed him, having deprived him of part of his salary; and now, do as you please, and make the best of it. This behaviour, gross and insolent as it is, we have thought fit to report. At the same time we are to inform you that, for many reasons, we think it highly proper that Mr. Franklin should be confined. The place and manner of his confinement we most cheerfully submit to the judgment of the Continental Congress, relying upon the assurance of Congress already given that it shall be out of this Colony. Only one thing we beg leave to add, that, in our opinion, the sooner the Continental Congress take him in charge the better.

I am, sir, your obedient, humble servant.

By order of Congress:

SAMUEL TUCKER, President.

To the Honourable John Hancock.

Questions proposed to Mr. FRANKLIN.

1. Did Mr. Franklin issue the Proclamation of the 30th day of May last for calling the Assembly of New-Jersey, a copy of which is presented in the several newspapers, or one to that effect?

2. Did Mr. Franklin at that time know of the Resolve of the Continental Congress of the 15th day of May last, directing that all authority under the Crown of Great Britain should be totally suppressed?

3. By what authority did Mr. Franklin undertake to call the Assembly?

4. With what view did he undertake to call that Assembly, and what important business had he to lay before them?

5. Did Mr. Franklin write letters to the Ministry of Great Britain, encouraging them to proceed in their designs against this country; and did he undertake to point out to that Ministry the means of distressing this country, particularly on the sea-coast of New-Jersey

6. The Congress being informed that Mr. Franklin dropped some threatening expressions to Colonel Heard, such as “it is your turn now, but it will be mine another day, ” they would be glad to know what he meant by them.

William Franklin, Esq., late Governour of this Province, having been brought before this Congress, pursuant to an order for that purpose, to be examined touching such parts of his conduct as were deemed inimical to the liberties of America, Mr. Franklin refused to answer the questions put to him, denying the authority of this body, which he alleged had usurped the King’s Government in this Province. As the said William Franklin, by this and his former conduct, in many instances, appears to be a virulent enemy to this country, and a person that may prove dangerous,

Therefore, it is unanimously Resolved, That the said William Franklin be confined in such place and manner as the honourable Continental Congress shall direct.

A true copy from the Minutes:

WILLIAM PATTERSON Secretary