PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Philadelphia, July 6, 1776.

SIR: Should this be presented to you by Captain Thomas Cardrop, you will please to understand that he, with fifty ship-carpenters under his command, are engaged in the Continental service, with orders to proceed, with the utmost expedition, for Albany, there to put themselves under the direction of Major-General Philip Schuyler, in order to perform the very essential service of building galleys, floating-batteries, &c, for the defence of the Lakes. And the present situation of the Ministerial Army on Stiffen-Island having rendered it necessary to leave the route of this corps to the judgment and discretion of Captain Cardrop, it is uncertain whether your Excellency will see him or not; therefore these lines are given to him merely to procure the necessary assistance and despatch, if he should find it safe and convenient to call at New-York in order to procure water conveyance.

I have the honour to remain your Excellency's most obedient servant,

JOHN HANCOCK.

To His Excellency George Washington, Esq.

BOARD OF WAR TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

War-Office, Philadelphia, July 6, 1776.

SIR; I am directed by the Board of War and Ordnance to request that you would be pleased to inform them whether any and what provision has been made in the Continental Army for sergeant-majors, drum and fife-majors, and quartermaster-sergeants; and if none has heretofore been made, whether any and what pay or allowance ought to be made them,

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

RICHARD PETERS, Jun.

To His Excellency General Washington.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO NEW-YORK CONVENTION, ETC.

Philadelphia, July 6, 1776.

HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN: Although it is not possible to foresee the consequences of human actions, yet it is nevertheless a duty we owe ourselves and posterity, in all our publick councils, to decide in the best manner we are able, and to trust the event to that Being who controls both causes and events so as to bring about his own determinations.

Impressed with this sentiment, and at the same time fully convinced that our affairs may take a more favourable turn, the Congress have judged it necessary to dissolve all connexion between Great Britain and the American Colonies, and to declare them free and independent States, as you will perceive by the enclosed Declaration, which I am directed by Congress to transmit to you, and to request you will have it proclaimed in your Colony, in the way you shall think most proper.

The important consequences to the American States from this Declaration of Independence, considered as the ground and foundation of a future Government, will naturally suggest the propriety of proclaiming it in such a manner that the people may be universally informed of it.

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

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Honourable Convention of New-York.

[Same to the Honourable Assembly of Massachusetts-Bay, Governour Trumbull, Governour Cooke, and Assembly of New-Hampshire.]

P. S. to the Letter to New-Hampshire:—Major Rogers, of your Colony, is now here. The Congress have ordered that he be sent to New-Hampshire, to be disposed of as that Government it shall judge best.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO COMMISSARY MEASE.

Philadelphia, July 6, 1776.

SIR: You are hereby required to pay to Captain William Kilsay, commanding a company of New-Jersey Militia, one month's pay, in the following proportions, the said Captain Kilsay to be accountable, agreeably to a resolve of Congress of this day, viz: To one Captain, two Lieutenants, one Ensign, four Sergeants, four Corporals, fifty-one Privates—to each of these gentlemen one month's advance pay agreeable to the established pay.

By order of Congress:

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Mr. Commissary and Paymaster Mease.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL WARD.

Philadelphia, July 6, 1776.

SIR: The enclosed Declaration of Independence I am directed to transmit to you, with a request that you will have it proclaimed at the head of the troops under your command, in the way you shall think most proper.

I have only time to add, that the importance of it will naturally suggest the propriety of proclaiming it in such a manner as that the whole Army may be fully apprized of it.

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

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To General Ward, or Officer commanding the Continental Troops at Boston.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO JOHN BRADFORD.

Philadelphia, July 6, 1776.

SIR: As I purpose writing you fully on the subject of marine affairs some time in the course of next week, I shall only enclose at present a resolve of Congress, directing you to send the arms taken out of the Scotch transports to General Washington at New-York; and indeed this is all I have time to do now, being in great haste.

Sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Mr. John Bradford, Agent in Massachusetts-Bay.

[Same to Mr. Daniel Tillinghast, Agent in Rhode-Island.]

War-Office, Philadelphia, July 6, 1776.

All persons in the United American States who are able to inform the Congress of any quantities of flint-stone, or of any persons who are skilled in the manufacture of flints, are requested to apply in person, or by letter, to the Board of War and Ordnance, at the War-Office in Market Street, near the corner of Fourth Street. All printers of newspapers in the several States are desired to insert this advertisement.

RICHARD PETERS, Jun., Secretary.

JACOB RUSH TO GENERAL WASHINGTQN,

Philadelphia, July 6, 1776.

SIR: I beg leave to acquaint you, at the desire of Mr. Hancock, that your letter of the 4th and 5th instant was this day received and read in Congress. As the despatches which are at this time preparing for you cannot be got ready for the post, and Mr. Hancock does not incline to detain him, I am to inform you that he will send them by express as soon as possible after Congress rises.

I have the honour to be, with great respect, sir, you most obedient and very humble servant,

JACOB RUSH.

To His Excellency General Washington, New-York.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN PHILADELPHIA TO HIS FRIEND AT ANNAPOLIS, DATED JULY 6, 1776, SATURDAY MORNING.

General Howe has landed a great body of troops on Staten-Island. His force cannot be ascertained. General Washington and his troops are in high spirits. The strength of our Army at New-York cannot be ascertained, the Mi life pour in so fast that it is impracticable. The Jersey Militia, amounting to three thousand five hundred, have acquired great honour in forming and marching with such alacrity and expedition. They have for some time past got over to New-York. The battalions of this city (every one of them) are marching to Trenton and Brunswick, in the Jerseys. The rifle battalion in the pay of this Province, marched yesterday for the same places. The Militia in the Counties arc also ordered to march. Out of these bodies they mean to form their quota of the Flying-Camp, to be posted in the Jerseys, and to be at the command of General Washington. It is expected that the Lower Counties and Maryland will