EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM GENERAL LEE TO EDMUND PENDLETON, DATED CHARLESTOWN, SOUTH-CAROLINA, JUNE 29, 1776.

Yesterday, about eleven o’clock, the enemy’s squadron, consisting of one forty-gun ship and six frigates, came to anchor before Fort Sullivan, and began one of the most furious cannonades ever heard or seen. Their project was, apparently, at the same time to land their troops on the east end of the Island. Twice they attempted it, and as often were gallantly repulsed. The ships continued their fire on the fort till eleven o’clock at night. The behaviour of the garrison, both men and officers, with Colonel Moultrie at their head, I confess astonished me. It was brave to the last degree. I had no idea that so much coolness and intrepidity could be displayed by a collection of raw recruits as I was witness to in this garrison. Had we been better supplied with ammunition, it is most probable this squadron would have been utterly destroyed. However, they have no reason to triumph; one of their frigates is now in flames, another lost her bowsprit, the Commodore and a forty-gun ship had their mizzen shot away, and are otherwise much damaged. In short, they may be said, in this their essay on South- Carolina, to have been worsted; but I presume they will make another attempt.

Our loss is ten killed and twenty-two wounded; seven of whom have lost their legs or arms. The defences of the fort have received no injury, only one gun dismounted. I shall write, when the affair is finished, a more accurate relation to your Convention, and to the Congress. In the mean time, I think it but justice to publish the merits of Colonel Moultrie and his brave garrison. Colonel Thompson, of the South-Carolina Rangers, acquitted himself most nobly in repulsing the troops who attempted to land at the other end of the Island. I know not which corps I have the greatest reason to be pleased with, Muhlenberg’s Virginians or the North-Carolina troops; they are both equally alert, zealous, and spirited.

I shall not write to the Congress till the operations of the enemy are brought to something more like a decision. If you, sir, think this short relation of sufficient importance, you will, of course, transmit it. The frigate that was on fire is this moment blown up.

Williamsburgh, Saturday, June 29, 1776.

This day Patrick Henry, Esq., was chosen Governour of this country, and a Committee appointed to acquaint him therewith. To which he returned the following Answer to the Convention:

To THEHONOURABLE THE PRESIDENT AND HOUSE OF CONVENTION:

GENTLEMEN: The vote of this day, appointing me Governour of this Commonwealth, has been notified to me in the most polite and obliging manner by George Mason, Henry Lee, Dudley Digges, John Blair,, and Bartholomew Dandridge.

A sense of the high and unmerited honour conferred upon me by the Convention fills my heart with gratitude, which I trust my whole life will manifest. I take this earliest opportunity to express my thanks, which I wish to convey to you, gentlemen, in the strongest terms of acknowledgment.

When I reflect that the tyranny of the British King and Parliament hath kindled a formidable war, now raging throughout the wide-extended continent, and in the operations of which this Commonwealth must bear so great a part; and that from the events of this war the lasting happiness or misery of a great proportion of the human species will finally result; that, in order to preserve this Commonwealth from anarohy, and its attendant ruin, and to give vigour to our councils and effect to all our measures, Government hath been necessarily assumed and new modelled; that it is exposed to numberless hazards and perils in its infantine state; that it can never attain to maturity or ripen into firmness, unless it is guarded by affectionate assiduity, and managed by great abilities, —I lament my want of talents; I feel my mind filled with anxiety and uneasiness to find myself so unequal to the duties of that important station to which I am called by favour of my fellow-citizens at this truly critical conjuncture. The errors of my conduct shall be atoned for, so far as I am able, by unwearied endeavours to secure the freedom and happiness of our common country.

I shall enter upon the duties of my office whenever you, gentlemen, shall be pleased to direct, relying upon the known wisdom and virtue of your honourable House to supply my defects, and to give permanency and success to that system of Government which you have formed, and which is so wisely calculated to secure equal liberty and advance human happiness.

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

P. HENRY, Jun.

Williamsburgh, June 29, 1776.

Upper District of Frederick County, June 29, 1776.

Whereas Legislative, Executive, and Judicial powers in this Province are at present exercised by the same body of men, the administration of justice confused and unfixed, the places of the most important trust held by persons disaffected to the common cause of America, the transactions of the Convention carried on in a secret manner, and such parts only published as they may think proper, the recommendations of the honourable Continental Congress unregarded, and propositions of the utmost importance determined without consulting the people, and an adulatory address presented Governour Eden, supplicating his interposition with a people that has hitherto treated our just petitions with the greatest contempt; all which matters have very much alarm ed the good people of this District, and filled their minds with deep concern for the honour and welfare of this Province in particular, and the United Colonies in general, and induced them to publish the following Resolutions, entered into by the two Battalions of this District, and many other respectable inhabitants thereof, on the 28th and 29th of June, 1776, and which are as follows:

Resolved, unanimously, That the present mode of Government in this Province is incompetent to the exigencies thereof, and dangerous to our liberties.

Resolved, unanimously, That we are of opinion that the present Convention ought to be immediately dissolved, and a new one elected for the express purpose of carrying the Resolves of the Continental Congress of the 15th of May into execution.

Resolved, unanimously, That we will support the union of the Colonies with our lives and fortunes.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO CAPTAIN HINDMAN.

SIR: Your favour of the 27th instant, per Mr. Anderson, the Council has laid before the Convention, and, therefore, as far as respects Mr. Dickinson and others, requires no answer from them. We have enclosed you an order on the Eastern Shore Treasurer for one hundred pounds, which we hope will be sufficient for the present. The Council desire you will furnish them with an account of the expenditure of the money they have already advanced you towards clothing the troops, &c. They have determined not to advance any more money without accounts being produced to them.      We are, &c.

To Captain James Hindman.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO CAPTAIN HINDMAN.

SIR: Enclosed we send you the resolve of the Convention requiring the appearance of Messrs. James Dickinson, Nicholas Martin, William. Thomas, and John Stevens, before them on Tuesday next, with which you are desired to acquaint them. You will also be pleased to send any persons whose testimony you may think material against them, and also to order up any witnesses whose attendance they may desire.      We are, &C. .

To Captain James Hindman.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO LIEUTENANT BRACCO.

SIR: We have this minute received your favour of the 26th instant, per Sergeant Smith, and are much concerned