the Colonies of Pennsylvania and Maryland, to be employed in such manner as will be most likely to defeat the designs of our enemies, and to promote the cause of American liberty.

Your favour of the 27th instant, with its several enclosures, came to hand yesterday. As the Congress will not sit this day, I shall take the earliest opportunity, on Monday, of laying their important contents before them.

The loss of Canada is undoubtedly, on some accounts, to be viewed in the light of a misfortune. The continent has been put to great expense in endeavouring to get possession of it. It is highly probable, too, that our enemies will receive additional strength of both men and supplies from it. Yet, on the other hand, there is a mixture of good fortune attending it: that our Army should make so prudent a retreat as to save their baggage, cannon, ammunition, sick, &c., from falling into the hands of the enemy, will afford a partial consolation, and reflect honour upon the officers who conducted it.

Considering the superior force of the British troops, and a retreat as unavoidable, everything has been done which in such a situation would be expected. In short, I am extremely glad our Army is likely to get safe out of Canada.

I am to request you will please to order Colonel Stephenson, and one other Field Officer of that corps, to repair to this city to confer with the Delegates of Virginia and Maryland on the most proper steps to fill up the companies as expeditiously as possible. If there are any subaltern officers of that corps whom you can recommend, it is the desire of Congress they should be promoted in preference to those now to be taken into pay.

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

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To His Excellency General Washington.

Eleven o’clock. —I have this moment received your favour of 28th, which shall be laid before Congress.

I have also received, by post, a letter from Brigadier-General Whitcomb, returning his commission, and desiring to be excused on account of age and a diffidence of not being able to answer the expectation of Congress.

The enclosed copy of a letter came to my hands, which I thought best to transmit to you.

I am yours,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS OF NEW-JERSEY TO PRESIDENT HANCOCK.
[Read July 1, 1776.]

SIR: This forenoon we received from the Adjutant-General at New-York a letter informing of the arrival of General Howe at Sandy-Hook with a large force.

Enclosed is a copy of a letter we have this moment received from Colonel Taylor, of Middletown.

We have taken steps to send forward a considerable number of our Militia to New-York. Our shores are chiefly unguarded, and we are much in want of arms and ammunition, lead as well as powder.

When we first ordered out our Militia we expected some aid from the flying-camp, on this side of the North River. We rely, however, upon your care and protection of every part of the continent, and doubt not the most vigorous steps have been taken for our general safety.

The bearer, Mr. Hugg, waits upon Congress for the purpose of learning what assistance we may expect from the general plan, and in order to procure ammunition. The two tons of gunpowder, which we learn was ordered for us, we hope will be sufficient for the present; but if lead can be added it will be of particular use, as we know not where to collect a quantity of a sudden.

We are, sir, your most humble servants.

By order of Congress:

JOHN COVENHOVEN, Vice President.

To the Honourable President Hancock.

Saturday, 10 o’clock A. M.

GENTLEMEN: I have this moment received an account that a fleet of forty-five sail is now in sight, and nineteen saillies at the Hook, and a party of men and some lighthorse, which I make no doubt will pay us a visit as soon as convenient to them. Our guard is very weak, and not sufficient to make any stand; we therefore must beg your directions in this case, as no doubt many of your House know our situation.

I am, in haste, gentlemen, your humble servant,

GEORGE TAYLOR.

To the Honourable the Provincial Congress, at Burlington.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
[Read July 1, 1776.]

New-York, June 29, 1776.

SIR: I was last night honoured with your favour of the 26th instant; and, agreeable to your request, shall pay proper attention to the resolves it enclosed.

I observe the augmentation Congress have resolved to make to the forces destined for the Northern Department, and the bounty to be allowed such soldiers as will inlist for three years. I hope many good consequences will result from these measures; and that from the latter a considerable number of men may be induced to engage in the service.

I should esteem myself extremely happy to afford the least assistance to the Canada department, in compliance with the desire of Congress and your requisition, were it in my power, but it is not. The return which I transmitted yesterday will but too well convince Congress of my incapacity in this instance, and point out to them that the force I now have is trifling, considering the many and important posts that are necessary and must be supported if possible. But few Militia have yet come in; the whole being about twelve hundred, including the two battalions of this city and one company from the Jerseys. I wish the delay may not be attended with disagreeable circumstances, and their aid may not come too late, or when it may not be wanted. I have written, I have done everything I could to call them in, but they have not come, though I am told they are generally willing.

The accounts communicated yesterday, through Lieutenant Davison’s letter, are partly confirmed, and, I dare say, will turn out to be true in the whole. For two or three days past, three or four ships have been dropping in; and I just now received an express from an officer appointed to keep a look-out on Staten-Island, that forty-five arrived at the Hook to-day—some say more; and I suppose the whole fleet will be in within a day or two. I am hopeful, before they are prepared to attack, that I shall get some reinforcements; be that as it may, I shall attempt to make the best disposition of our troops, in order to give them a proper reception, and to prevent the ruin and destruction they are meditating against us.

As soon as the express arrived last night, I sent the letters for the northern Colonies to the Quartermaster-General, with orders to forward them immediately.

When Monsieur Wiebert comes (I have not seen him yet) I shall employ him as Congress have directed. The terms upon which he offers his services seem to promise something from him. I wish he may answer, and be skilled in the business he says he is acquainted with.

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

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the Honourable John Hancock.

ROBERT H. HARRISON TO GENERAL HEARD.

New-York, June 29, 1776.

SIR: It being a matter of much consequence to prevent the Ministerial fleet and army from obtaining supplies of fresh provisions, as was experienced during the blockade of Boston by our Army, I am commanded by his Excellency General Washington to inform you that he conceives it indispensably necessary that all the cattle and stock along the Jersey and Staten-Island shores, and within their vicinity, should be immediately removed out of reach of the shipping and their tenders.

His Excellency, sensible of the advantages that will arise from it, requests you to use your exertions to impress the people whom it will affect, and your Government, with proper ideas of its expediency and importance, and that you