defenceless state, will in the mean time, if his troops have no other employment, make incursions at least into, and ravage our country, so near and exposed,—we cannot behold our alarming situation without anticipating the most cruel distress, our country destitute of inhabitants, our wives and children unprotected either from the enemy without or the Tories and negroes in the midst of us. In this dangerous predicament, we have no other source for relief but by humble application to your Excellency. Fimly relying on your Excellency’s wisdom and humanity, we don’t doubt you will order the most speedy and suitable provision for the safety of our country, and quieting the distresses of our women and children. If it be really necessary that we should fall a sacrifice to the benefit of the common cause, we will endeavour to support our misfortunes without repining; but we hope the arrival of troops from Connecticut will render it unnecessary, and make the longer attendance of the main body of our Militia at New-York dispensable.

We are, with the most respectful submission, your Excellency’s most obedient servants.

By order of the Committee of Newark:

LEWIS OGDEN, Chairman.

To General Washington.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL MERCER.

Head-Quarters, July 4, 1776—9 o’clock P. M.

DEAR SIR: I am to acknowledge the receipt of your favours of yesterday and this morning, and approve much of the steps you have taken for securing the ferries, as well as quieting the apprehensions of the inhabitants of Newark by stationing some troops there.

Upon full consideration of all circumstances, I have concluded to send the Militia home, except five hundred to guard Bergen Neck, which I deem an important post, and capable of being used very much to our prejudice. I am also of opinion that a body about Woodbridge and Amboy would be very useful. I propose to retain the Morris County Militia for the first purpose, and leave it to General Livingston to order the security of the other places. As to the Militia who have marched from distant parts, I suppose, like all others, they are impatient to return to their farms and business, and as others are discharged, it will be difficult to keep them. However, that I leave to General Livingston, who, if he thinks they are necessary for the defence of the Province, will give them his orders; but I do not require their service any longer.

I cannot spare Captain Burr any swivels, the row-galleys requiring all I have.

I would by all means recommend to you to place a guard at the two ferries, Hackensack and Passaick. I shall send over an Engineer to-morrow to erect some works for the security of these places. The Militia of distant parts are better in such cases than the Militia of the neighbourhood.

In detaining troops you will please to distinguish, and inculcate upon others the distinction, between the new levies and Militia. Every man of the former I expect with all expedition.

I am, sir, your most obedient servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Brigadier-General Hugh Mercer, in New-Jersey.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
[Read in Congress July 6, 1776.]

New-York, July 4, 1776.

SIR: When I had the honour to address you on the 30th ultimo, I transmitted a copy of a letter I had received from a gentleman, a member of the honourable General Court, suggesting the improbability of succours coming from thence in any reasonable time either for the defence of this place, or to reinforce our troops engaged in the Canada expedition. I am sorry to inform you that, from a variety of intelligence, his apprehensions appear to be just and to be fully confirmed; nor have I reason to expect but that the supplies from the other two Governments—Connecticut and New-Hampshire—will be extremely slow and greatly deficient in number, as it now seems beyond question and clear to demonstration, that the enemy mean to direct their operations and bend their most vigorous efforts against this Colony, and will attempt to unite their two armies—that under General Burgoyne and the one arrived here—I cannot but think the expedient proposed by that gentleman is exceeding just, and that the Continental regiments now in the Massachusetts-Bay should be immediately called from thence and be employed where there is the strongest reason to believe their aid will be indispensably necessary. The expediency of the measure I shall submit to the consideration of Congress, and will only observe, as my opinion, that there is not the most distant prospect of an attempt being made where they now are by the enemy; and if there should, that the Militia that can be assembled upon the shortest notice will be more than equal to repel it. They are well armed, resolute, and determined, and will instantly oppose any invasion that may be made upon their own Colony.

I shall also take the liberty again to request Congress to interest themselves in having the Militia raised and forwarded with all possible expedition as fast as any considerable number of men can be collected that are to compose the flying-camp. This I mentioned in my letter yesterday, but think proper to repeat it, being more and more convinced of the necessity. The camp will be in the neighbourhood of Am-boy, and I shall be glad that the Conventions or Committees of Safety of those Governments from whence they come, may be requested to give us previous notice of their marching, that I may form some plan and direct provisions to be made for their reception. The disaffection of the people at that place, and others not far distant, is exceedingly great, and unless it is checked and overawed, it may become more general and be very alarming. The arrival of the enemy will encourage it; they, or at least a part of them, are already landed on Staten-Island, which is quite contiguous, and about four thousand were marching about it yesterday, as I have been advised, and are leaving no arts unessayed to gain the inhabitants to their side, who seem but too favourably disposed. It is not unlikely that in a little time they may attempt to cross to the Jersey side, and induce many to join them, either from motives of interest or fear, unless there is a force to oppose them.

As we are fully convinced that the Ministerial Army we shall have to oppose this campaign will be great and numerous, and well know that the utmost industry will be used, as it has already been, to excite the savages and every body of people to arms against us whom they can influence, it certainly behooves us to strain every nerve to counteract their designs; I would, therefore, submit it to Congress whether, especially as our schemes for employing the Western Indians do not seem to be attended with any great prospect of success from General Schuyler’s accounts, it may not, be advisable to take measures to engage those of the eastward—the St. Johns, Nova-Scotia, Penobscot, &c., in our favour. I have been told that several might be got, perhaps five or six hundred or more, readily to join us. If they can, I should imagine it ought to be done; it will prevent our enemies from securing their friendship; and further, they will be of infinite service in annoying and harassing them should they ever attempt to penetrate the country. Congress will be pleased to consider the measure, and if they determine to adopt it, I conceive it will be necessary to authorize and request the General Court of the Massachusetts-Bay to carry it into execution; their situation and advantage will enable them to negotiate a treaty and an alliance better than it can be done by any person else.

I have been honoured with your two favours of the 1st instant, and agreeable to the wishes of Congress shall put Monsieur Weibert in the best place I can to prove his abilities in the art he professes. I shall send him up immediately to the works erecting towards King’s Bridge, under the direction of General Mifflin, whom I shall request to employ him.

I this moment received a letter from General Greene, an extract of which have enclosed. The intelligence it contains is of the most important nature, and evinces the necessity of the most spirited and vigorous exertions on our part. The expectation of the fleet under Admiral Howe is certainly the reason the Army already come has not begun their hostile operation. When that arrives we may look for the most interesting events, and such as, in all probability, will have considerable weight in the present contest. It behooves us to prepare in the best manner; and I submit again to Congress, whether the accounts given by these prisoners do not show the propriety of calling the several Continental