Sixth. That you endeavour to procure a resolve of Convention to prevent any undue influence being used at elections by military officers over the men they command, a danger which may possibly arise from the attachment natural enough in the soldier to his commander.

Seventh. That you move for and promote a reasonable regulation to enable debtors to pay off their creditors in country produce, especially in the case of rents and interest due on obligations or otherwise, and also the publick levies now due.

Eighth. That you endeavour to procure a resolve of Convention to exclude all officers, civil or military, from holding seats in Convention or Congress, after appointment to each office, until rechosen; and to exclude all members of Congress from a seat in the Convention.

Ninth. That you endeavour to reduce the enormous allowance of fifteen pounds per week given to each of our Delegates in Congress, this being a time when strict economy is necessary; and also reduce the allowance of members in Convention to a sum adequate to their necessary expense, as we are persuaded you will agree with us in opinion that the present state of this Province will by no means admit of profusion.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO JOSEPH TRUMBULL.

Philadelphia, June 22, 1776.

SIR: I am so extremely hurried at present that I have only time enough to send the enclosed resolves.

By the next post I purpose doing myself the pleasure of writing you fully.

In the mean time I am, sir, your most humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Joseph Trumbull, Esq., Commissary-General, Canada.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO EBENEZER HANCOCK.

Philadelphia, June 22, 1776.

DEAR BROTHER: I do myself the pleasure to enclose you the pay-roll of the Continental Army, it being necessary for you in your new Department.

I have just received a letter from General Washington, in which he very obligingly says he will give you such further directions as you may stand in need of. I have only time to add that I hope to write you fully by the next post.

I am your humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Ebenezer Hancock, Esq., Deputy Paymaster-General, at Boston

WILLIAM WHIPPLE TO JOHN LANGDON.

Philadelphia, May 18, 1776.

MY DEAR SIR: This only serves to tell you Colonel Bartlett arrived yesterday, and to enclose a resolution of Congress, which I know will not displease you. You see how we come on. A Confederation, permanent and lasting, ought, in my opinion, to be the next thing, and I hope is not far off; if so, then the establishment of foreign agencies, I hope, will fill our ports with ships from all parts of the world. By the enclosed Evening Post you will see the effects of their resolution. May it operate in the same manner through America.

JOSIAH BARTLETT TO JOHN LANGDON.

Philadelphia, May 19, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Last Friday afternoon I arrived here, all well, and on Saturday we received a sad but very imperfect account of affairs at Quebeck. According to the account received it seems there was a most shocking and unaccountable misconduct in the whole affair; however, cannot help hoping that affairs are not so bad as has been reported; and if they are, that the Generals and soldiers who had not joined the Army will, in a great measure, retrieve matters, and that things there will soon be in a better situation.

Hard money is very much wanted in Canada; and unless considerable sums are forthwith sent there, our affairs will suffer very much on that account. You will receive directions from the Chairman of the Secret Committee relative to what you have in your hands.

The order of Congress concerning taking up Government under the people, which Colonel Whipple sent forward, has made a great noise in this Province. Enclosed I send you an address to the people of Pennsylvania, and an order for the meeting of the City and Liberties to-morrow: what will be the consequence I know not, but think the Assembly will be dissolved and a Convention called. As to other affairs, I have had no time to be informed myself; and Colonel Whipple tells me he has written you from time to time fully. As to the agency affair, I shall make one more trial when that matter comes on. The order of Congress for raising a regiment for the defence of our Colony, you will receive before this comes to hand. I hope good officers will be recommended, and everything put in the best posture of defence, and the courage and resolution of the people kept up, as I have great reason to think we shall have a severe trial this summer with Britons, Hessians, Hanoverians, Indians, Negroes, and every other butcher the gracious King of Britain can hire against us. If we can stand it out this year, and I have no doubt we can, by Divine assistance, I think there will be a final end of British tyranny, and this country soon enjoy peace, liberty, and safety. Use your best endeavours to keep up the spirit of the people, for our all is at stake— life, liberty, and fortune. We have nothing to hope for, if conquered; and our misfortunes in the war ought to animate us the more to diligence, firmess, and resolution. To conquer is better than life; to be subdued, infinitely worse than death.

I have resolved punctually to answer all letters written to me from any persons in our Colony, but never to write a second to any person who does not answer mine, except what I am obliged to write officially to the Colony or Committee of Safety.

By an express received from General Lee, we are informed a number of transports had arrived at Cape Fear with troops from England, but had not landed when the express came away.

May 2lst —Yesterday the city met, agreeable to notification, in the field before the State-House, a stage being erected for the Moderator, (Colonel Roberdeau,) and the chief speakers Mr. McKean, &c. I am told they unanimously voted that the present House of Assembly are not competent to changing the form of Government, and have given orders for calling a Convention. The Pennsylvania Assembly was to meet yesterday. I fear some convulsions in the Colony. The infamous instructions given by the Assembly to their Delegates, which they at their last meeting refused to alter, is the cause of their losing the confidence of the people.

One of the riflemen taken at Quebeck last fall arrived in this city last evening. I am told he has brought letters, sewed up in his clothes, for the Congress; and that he left England the 24th of March last. I saw him last evening, when he first came in the coffee-house. I expect to know more at Congress, as the letters are sent to the President; but the post is now setting off, so must conclude, by assuring you I am your steady and sincere friend,

JOSIAH BARTLETT.

P. S. Colonel Whipple has enclosed one of the addresses.

WILLIAM WHIPPLE TO JOHN LANGDON.

Philadelphia, May 20, 1776.

MY DEAR SIR: Your favour of the 6th instant is now before me. I am glad the money has got safe to hand. The list of officers you mention, I suppose has reached you before now. I enclosed one some time ago. I also gave you my reasons for disapproving the person you mentioned for First Lieutenant. 1 have no objection to the Mr. Roche you mention; but am apprehensive his being appointed will make some uneasiness, as there are many masters of vessels, of good character, out of employ, who perhaps will think themselves neglected. I shall nominate Captain Thompson the first opportunity; and think it won’t be amiss to appoint such of the warrant or petty officers as you think necessary; as to the other officers, I think you may sound such persons as you may think proper, and know what places they will accept, without engaging them absolutely.