could keep a secret; and on being answered in the affirmative, Jansen asked said Brando to go with him in about five weeks thereafter to New-Windham, with a good gun and five day’s provision; that there they would meet the King’s troops; and that he (Jansen) had been to the Mayor’s, in Albany, for advice; all which is a further evidence against him. The prisoners taken at St. Johns, the rabble from every part of the country, in his house found a safe asylum and welcome reception, provided they called themselves Tories. To recapitulate the many instances of baseness and perfidy practised, would be tiresome to us, as well as you to read.

Stephen De Lancey’s continual intercourse with Sir John Johnson, and free and indecent speeches against the Congress, our Army, and America, are part of our charges against him. From the beginning of our troubles, his visiting Sir John Johnson was more frequent than formerly; any movements of our Army, or debates in Committee, (he being a member,) were matters talked in common at Johnson-Hall. Colonel Dayton’s Regiment being ordered on a secret expedition, it was imagined they were going to Johnstoivn; Mr. De Lanccy went to Mr. Schuyler’s, at the Flats, hired a man to conduct him to Gunsalis’, in Nistegaone, importuned said man to convey him to a place called Hermitage, the residence of John Duncan, from whence, it is more than probable, notice was sent Sir John, as an express from General Schuyler at that time to Sir John met young Duncan coming from Johnstown, and before Sir John opened General Schuyler’s letter, asked the express how far the troops had advanced. His drinking damnation to the Congress, and calling himself a Tory, is notorious to many. His remarks about the marching and countermarching of our troops in this city in order to make a great show of a few men, is proved against him; his associating with the enemies of our country, paying no regard to circumstances or character, are too evident to need any commenting on. His frequent and ungentlemanlike remarks against the officers, and our Army in general, are well known amongst us. In short, his general conduct was such as rendered him obnoxious to every well-wisher to America in those parts.

John Duncan’s dependance on Government in some measure rendered him suspicious. His harbouring Colonel Allan Maclean, when passing through this country, evidently showed his intention. His house appeared to us as a place of rendezvous for all our enemies. Mr. De Lancey’s roundabout road of going to his house and communicating the news of Colonel Dayton’s march to Sir John, (as appears in charge against Mr. De Lancey,) together with Captain Gray’s letter herewith sent, are circumstances too glaring to pass unnoticed.

Benjamin Hilton, since his behaviour as set forth in the copy enclosed, has still persisted in a similar line of conduct, by associating with the enemies of our country, and frequently testifying his disapprobation of the measures we were pursuing; his drinking the King’s health the 4th June last, can likewise be proved.

List of Tories from TRYON County, to be sent to HARTFORD; June 25, 1776.

RICHARD VARICK.

List of persons taken in CANADA, to be sent down to HARTFORD, in CONNECTICUT.

Sergeant Brown, of the Royal Artillery, taken at St. Johns, charged with being out of the limits where his parole of honour obliged him to remain. He is to go in irons, and be confined.

Joseph Launiere, for attempting, as a spy, to betray our Army to the garrison at Quebcck.

Francis Rabitailu, suspected to be sent out of town with intent to inform the garrison of Quebeck of the strength of our Army.

William Cotter, Augusiine Luisier, Augustine Luisier, Jun., John Isabella, John Shetlbear, Francis Pelkie, Luia Pelkie, taken in arms at St. Peters.

Louis Migneau, taken under arms against the Colonies at St. Ann’s.

André Le Banté, a Frenchman, taken prisoner with St. Luke La Corn.

A true Return:

RICHARD VARICK,

Secretary to Major-General Schuyler.

Albany, June 25, 1776.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO MASSACHUSETTS ASSEMBLY.

Albany, June 25, 1776.

SIR: A series of unfortunate events has attended our affairs in Canada. The last unsuccessful attempt of Colonel Thompson on the British troops at Trois Rivieres is followed by the evacuation of that country. Our troops are now at Isle-aux-Noix, or perhaps still south of that. I hope, however, that, by increasing our naval strength on Lake Champlain, we shall be in a condition to prevent the enemy from penetrating into the country south and east of the Lake.

As ship-carpenters are not to be had here in sufficient numbers, I take the liberty to address you, entreating your aid to send, with a despatch equal to the necessity of the case, fifty of the best that can be speedily procured. The wages will be the same that is given to those now employed in the publick service, and I wish them to enter into similar agreements, and therefore enclose you a copy of one.* Their pay will commence from the time they respectively leave home, and allowing at the rate of one day for every twenty miles for coming to or returning from Albany; and as they must necessarily provide themselves with provisions on the way, I will allow them one-third of a dollar for every twenty miles, as above, until they arrive here; and as every species of their allowance cannot at all times be got, the difference will be paid at the end of the campaign, or when they are

* Memorandum of an Agreement made the 6th day of JANUARY, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six, by and between the Hon. PHILIP SCHUYLER, Esq., Major-General in, and commanding the forces of, the United Colonies in the Northern Department, of the first part, and JACOB HILTON, of the City of ALBANY, and the several persons whose names are hereunto subscribed and seals affixed, of the second part.

The said parties of the second part, each for himself, doth hereby promise and agree that they respectively will immediately repair to Fort George, Ticonderoga, and such other places in the Province of New-York or Quebeck as General Schuyler shall direct, and there employ themselves in building and constructing such and so many batteaus, other vessels, or buildings, as by the said General Schuyler, or such person or persons as shall be by him appointed to superintend the said business, shall be directed or required; that they will, during the time they shall be so employed, continue each day at their said work and employment between the time following, to wit: to begin their work at sunrise, and continue at it till sunset, excepting one hour at breakfast, and one and a half hour at dinner; that each of them shall and will find and provide tools and implements for the carrying on the said work; and that if any of the said parties of the second part shall leave the said work and go from the post where he shall be employed without the leave of the commanding officer of such post first obtained, the party so going shall forfeit all the wages which shall then be due to him.

In consideration whereof, General Schuyler promises and agrees that the said parties of the second part shall have and receive the wages following, viz: the said Jacob Hilton at and after the rate of ten shillings, and each and every other of the said parties of the second part after the rate of eight shillings, New-York currency, for each day they shall be in actual employment in and about constructing the said vessels or other buildings, and that over and above those sums they shall severally receive one-and-a-quarter pound of pork or beef, and one-and-a-half pound of flour per day, four pints of peas per week, one pint of molasses per week, and half a pint of rum per day; that the said wages shall commence on the day they leave Albany; that after completing the said work, they shall respectively be allowed two days for returning, if at Fort George, four days if at Ticonderoga, and for any farther distance from Albany at the rate of twenty miles per day. And it is further agreed by the said parties to these presents, that if it shall happen that any of the parties of the second part should he taken sick during the time which they shall be employed as above, they shall not be entitled to wages for the time they abstain from work by reason of sickness, unless the commanding officer of the post where they shall be stationed shall, on application to him made, refuse to discharge the persons taken sick, and then they shall be entitled to wages from the time of such refusal.

Sealed and delivered by the parties of the second part.