MASSACHUSETTS ASSEMBLY TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Watertown, July 3, 1776.

SIR: The Court acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th ultimo, with the resolution of Congress; and having taken them into consideration, find, that as their Committees are now out on the business of raising and marching the three thousand men required of them by the Congress for the department of Canada, as also the three thousand destined for New-York, that it is not probable that the two battalions for the same service that are requested by Congress can be raised with that despatch that the exigency of the case requires. Therefore they beg leave to propose to the honourable Continental Congress that they would be pleased to give out directions to his Excellency General Washington to order two of the regiments now stationed at Boston to march immediately to Canada; and if they shall see cause so to do, this Court will take effectual measures that their numbers shall be immediately supplied. We are, &c.

To the Honourable John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress.

GENERAL SULLIVAN TO COLONEL HOISINGTON.

Crown-Point, July 3, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I this moment received your favour of the 28th ultimo. Am much obliged by your kind offer of assistance, but have the pleasure to inform you that at present our Army, weak and reduced by sickness as it is, will be fully sufficient to oppose any force that may be sent against us at present. I am well convinced that the enemy has neither boats to transport any army, nor armed vessels upon the Lake, to defend themselves against us; for which reason I suppose they will be very careful about making any attempt upon us at present. Perhaps some future day we may find ourselves under the necessity of embracing your generous offer; in the mean time, beg you and those friendly Americans to hold yourselves in readiness either to defend yourselves or repair to this place, as occasion may require.

Dear sir, I am, &c.,

JOHN SULLIVAN.

To Colonel Hoisington, of Woodstock, New-York Government, west of Connecticut River.

OFFICERS ON GOVERNOUR'S ISLAND, NEW-YORK, TO GENERAL HEATH.

Governour's Island, July 3, 1776.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOUR: We, the Officers of the Seventh Regiment, stationed on Governour's Island, are determined to fight in defence of our country to the last; yet we think it too much for America to risk such an important post as this with seven or eight hundred men, especially considering the extensiveness of the lines we have to defend, and the difficulty which will attend our immediate supplies, when most probably in case of an attack wind and tide will be against them; whereas, should a sufficient number be on the spot to withstand any force that could be sent against them, they would have the same advantage of wind and tide with the enemy, should they aim at any other part. We think it likewise very necessary to have some field-pieces and a reinforcement of the train, in order to secure the retreat, should it be thought proper, from the outworks to the citadel.

We therefore pray your Honour to represent the affair to his Excellency, and solicit a proper reinforcement, which in our opinion cannot be less than two thousand men.

We are, as in duty bound, your Honour's most obedient, humble servants,

WILLIAM PRESCOTT, Colonel,

JOHNSON MOULTON, Lieutenant-Colonel,

HENRY WOODS, Major, In behalf of ourselves and Officers.

To the Honourable Brigadier-General Heath.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO LANCASTER (PENNSYLVANIA) COMMITTEE.

Philadelphia, July 3, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: You are so well acquainted with the critical and alarming state of our public affairs, that it is unnecessary to use arguments to press you to a compliance with any resolves of Congress calculated to promote the cause of liberty in the United Colonies of America. I am therefore to request, by order of Congress that the troops you are raising to form the Flying-Camp may be sent to the City of Philadelphia with the utmost expedition. That they may arrive the sooner, it is the desire of Congress that you will send them by battalions, or detachments of battalions, or companies, as soon as raised.

I am persuaded the Committee of Lancaster County will strain every nerve to comply with this requisition of Congress, with all the despatch which the infinite importance of the present situation of affairs requires.

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

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Honourable Committee of Lancaster County, at Lancaster.

COLONEL BURD TO COMMITTEE FOR LANCASTER COUNTS, PENNSYLVANIA.

Tinian, July 3, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Last Monday the Board of Officers of my Battalion being met at Harris's Ferry, the enclosed allegations against Daniel Shelly were laid before them. They unanimously resolved that said Shelly should be apprehended, and if found upon examination there was any reason for the charge, that said Shelly should be sent down with a safeguard to you. I examined Daniel Shelly and William Wall and Ann Wall, in the presence of a number of officers and privates, who were unanimously of opinion that he should be sent down to you, as likewise the evidences. I accordingly send him, under the care of Mr. Michael Sheerer, Constable, who is to provide a guard for his safe conduct, and have ordered down to you William Wall, evidence. His wife being unable to travel, herewith I send you her deposition.

I am, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant,

SAMUEL BURD.

To the Chairman and Standing Committee of Lancaster County.

SIR: Whereas it was yesterday represented to the Board of Officers of my Battalion, (met at the house of Mr. John Harris, upon publick business,) that a Captain Daniel Shelly has been attempting to raise soldiers for the Ministerial Army, offering a reward of nine pounds per man by way of bounty, the Board, taking the same into consideration, resolved that you immediately send a party of your Company and apprehend the said Daniel Shelly, and bring him before me, with you and your officers, that we may examine said Shelly, and do further what shall appear to us to be right in the case.

Given under my hand, this 2d July, 1776.

SAMUEL BURD, Colonel.

To Captain James Crutch.

P. S. Bring William Wall, and any other evidences you can find.

Daniel Shelly told William Wall that people that were true to the country were great fools. If the English troops knew as well or as much as I do, the English troops would have the country in six weeks' time. He also says that he knows where there are plenty of powder and ball that can be got within twelve miles or a quarter of a day's ride as would keep the Americans employed. The said Shelly also went to Lewis Morris, and told him if he will list under him that he will give him nine pounds bounty. He also says that Colonel James Burd will not swear to be true to the country.

Present: William Wall.

LANCASTER COUNTY, ss:

Before me, James Burd, Esq., one of the Justices for the County of Lancaster, personally appeareth Ann Wall, who, being duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say, that last Sunday, on the Hill Island, she (deponent) at the house of Daniel Rosse, heard a certain Daniel Shelly express himself in the manner as follows: "Although they take their arms from them, a creditable man informed him they have powder and balls enough for them, and that the powder and ball could be found in a half a day's travel, and