In my last I acquainted the honourable Congress of the necessity of removing the officers and other prisoners of war, From this and other publick situations in the Province where they are at present; but no directions coming, am induced to trouble you once more, by saying that our apprehensions increase daily. From incontestable evidence it appears the soldiers have been continually forming, with numbers of our negroes; that they have discouraged persons listing in the present service; they have impudently ridiculed the Congress, and despised the American Army. On which I immediately committed them to Somerset jail, as a place more remote and secure than Brunswick. Captain Hescoat removes from this to Burlington to-morrow, with his family, so that we have but one officer in town; but he is a very bad one. There is a number at Princeton; two vile ones at Boundbrook, and some at Elizabethtown. The directions of Congress, how they shall be disposed of, shall be punctually executed by, sir, your obedient servant,

JOHN DENNIS.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL LIVINGSTON.

Head Quarters, July 5, 1776.

SIR: Your favour of the 4th came safely to hand. The situation of New-Jersey is such, and the apprehensions of the inhabitants so justly excited, that I have concluded to discharge the Militia from this place, except those from Morris County, whose internal situation is such as to leave them nothing to fear from the enemy. These I have posted in Bergen, in order to prevent any communication, and to give the enemy obstruction, in case they should attempt to land in that quarter, which, with the assistance of the Continental troops posted there, I hope they will be able effectually to do. The remainder of the Militia I have dismissed, as I have reason to believe the enemy is waiting for the European fleet, and will not make a general attack until it arrives; but we have not yet one man from Connecticut. You will observe I have dismissed the Militia from hence, but have not discharged them, as I am of opinion a part of them may be usefully employed in the immediate defence of the Province. In this view they fall properly under your command; and I would suggest to you the propriety of stationing them in proper places along the shore, opposite to Staten Island, so as to relieve the inhabitants from the apprehensions they are under of being plundered, as well as preventing any communication with the enemy. There are a number of people in Amboy who will undoubtedly open a correspondence with them immediately, and endeavour to excite disaffection through the Province, now they feel themselves under some kind of protection. If it is practicable, in the present situation of things, I am of opinion those officers of Government, and the notoriously disaffected there, should be removed with all expedition to less dangerous places; that the cattle and sheep and horses on the shores contiguous to Staten-Island should be immediately driven back; the ferries carefully attended to, and all boats watched that pass, or attempt so to do. The number of men necessary for these services you will be able to ascertain better than I can, but in such emergency it is better to exceed than fall short. As to provision for the men, I presume, while the Militia are employed in the immediate defence of the Province, the expense, at least in the first instance, will fall upon the Colony. How far the Continent will reimburse the Province I cannot determine. But the necessity of some supplies being collected is so evident, that I make no doubt the Convention will immediately go into it. In the mean time, I should think no person could run any risk in doing what is immediately necessary, under your appointment.

I have been the more induced to dismiss the Militia, that the new levies (or six months' men) may be forwarded as soon as possible; and I must request your exertions for this purpose, as it is my intention to have them here without delay. Since this letter was begun, another of your favours came to my hands, informing me that the enemy have thrown up two small breastworks on the causeway from the point.

You also request some experienced officers to be sent over: which I would gladly comply with, if in my power; but I have few of that character, and those are so necessarily engaged here, that for the present I must refer you to General Mercer, whose judgment and experience may be depended on. I have written him that I should endeavour to send over an engineer as soon as possible. From all accounts we receive, I cannot think they have any serious intentions at present, beyond making themselves masters of Staten-Island, guarding against any attack from us, and collecting what stock they can; but, at the same time, it is highly prudent for you to be in the best posture of defence you can.

I am, sir, your most obedient and, very humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON

To Brigadier-General Livingston.

GENERAL LIVINGSTON TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Elizabethtown, July 5, 1776.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: I forwarded the enclosed early this morning, but, through a mistake of the express, it was this moment returned to me; since which I am honoured with your Excellency's letter of this day, part of which is answered by the enclosed letter. Everything in my power shall be carefully attended to for the publick good. We have plenty of provision, and am informed it will continue. I forgot to mention in my last, that, on examining a person who was taken by one of the tenders in the Kills, I found that Captain Williams, of the tender, has a wife and children in New-York: he married Benjamin Stout's daughter, in the Bowery. I mention this circumstance, as it may lead to discover a correspondence between them. The examinant said that Captain Williams expressed his desire of leaving the service, and getting to New-York. General Mercer having returned yesterday, I send back the letter directed to him.

Colonel Drake, of the second Morris battalion, has not been able to come down with his men till this day. He has about two hundred and fifty men, who will be here this evening, and I shall forward them to New-York to-morrow morning, without delay, unless your Excellency shall give other orders.

I have the honour to be your Excellency's most humble and most obedient servant,

WILLIAM LIVINGSTON.

GENERAL W. LIVINGSTON TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Elizabethtown, July 5, 1776.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: Since my last, I have received so many applications from the inhabitants along the Sound, Woodbridge, and Amboy, relating to the defenceless state of their borders, the whole Militia being sent to New-York, that, to allay their fears, (with the approbation of General Mercer, who had stopped them at Newark Ferry, where they were ordered to assist General Heard,) I ordered Major Duyckinck, with six hundred Middlesex Militia, to Amboy, leaving one hundred men at the Blazing-Star Ferry.

This morning, I received an application from the three companies of the Woodbridge Militia, now at your city, requesting my interest with your Excellency, to let them return to defend that quarter; but perhaps when they are informed of the above disposition, it may make them easy.

I have this moment received an express, with a piece of information, which I trouble you with, only from the advantage that may arise from your having intelligence of every kind, that the whole may be compared together; and, to prevent mistakes, I beg leave to transcribe the letter.

"SIR: A relation of Mr. Dississoway stole away from Staten-Island last night in a small canoe, with James Fitz Randolph, (both of whom are returned again;) they are staunch friends, and say, that if Dississoway does not return by to-morrow, his estate shall be forfeited. Randolph says he is much insulted for being a Whig by the lowest sort, but must return to save his family from being hostages. He heard the Major with other officers declare, at about four o'clock yesterday, there should be three thousand men landed at Amboy this day, before that time; and from what he could gather, that they intended to push matters in the Jerseys. We are in such a situation at this time, that with difficulty we raise a small guard, and many begin to talk of being afraid we are sold; and if the clamour is not soon stopped, God only knows what soon will be the consequence in this place, as some intend to go over, themselves and families, and not return."

This letter was written this morning, and is signed Daniel Moores, who is a principal man in that neighbourhood. Nothing material happened here last night, except that being informed of a large parcel of fat cattle being pastured on the neck along the Sound, I have ordered a party to drive off