immediately inarch their quotas of Militia, to compose the Flying-Camp, to this city, to defend it in the absence of its own battalions.

Your hour of trial is come; your plighted faith, your publick honour, the love of your country, and its dearest liberties, in this moment of imminent danger, demand that you instantly fly to the assistance of a sister Colony.

Saturday noon.—An express is just arrived from General Washington. Howe's Army consists of ten thousand men. Admiral Howe is not yet arrived, but hourly expected, with one hundred and fifty sail, having on board twenty thousand troops The enemy's grand army will consist of thirty thousand. The whole Militia of this Province are, ordered to the Jerseys. We are in anxious expectation to hear from Maryland, nor can we for a moment entertain a fear that our brethren will desert us in the day of our distress. The farmers here have left their harvest, and cast away the scythe for the musket, I should rejoice to hear you have imitated so laudable, so glorious an example.

GEORGE ROSS TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

In Committee, Lancaster, July 6, 1776.

SIR: I have the honour to inform you of the receipt of yours of the 3d instant, before which, the Committee received letters of the 4th instant, from a Committee of Congress, and from the Committee of Inspection of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia. The Conference here had broken up before either came to hand, and the members had returned to their respective homes. We immediately took into consideration the very important matters recommended; and how they have proceeded, you will be best informed by the enclosed resolves; and we have despatched orders to all the Colonels of this County, and shall continue to exert every nerve to carry the resolves of Congress into execution.

I am, sir, your most obliged and obedient servant,

GEO. ROSS Chairman.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

GEORGE ROSS TO COLONEL GALBRATTH.

In Committee, Lancaster, July 6, 1776.

SIR: We yesterday enclosed you our resolves respecting the companies agreed to be furnished by the battalions in this County towards the six thousand men required to form the Flying-Camp.

We this day received the enclosed resolves of the Congress as to the Independency of the United States of America, which we forward to you for the regulation of your conduct in the present alarming situation of our affairs. The battalions in this town were this day drawn out, and unanimously agreed to march. We doubt not but that you will exert yourself to carry the resolves of Congress and the conference of Committees into execution; and are, sir, your most obedient servants.

By order of the Committee:

G. ROSS, Chairman.

ROBERT FRAILL TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read July 8, 1776.]

Easton, July 6, 1776.

SIR: Your favour of the 3d instant, by express, came to hand this forenoon about half after nine o'clock. There being but one of the members of our Committee at present in this town, orders are sent off for a meeting of the Committee to attend here next Monday, as also the several Colonels of this County to attend at the same time, in order to consider on the contents of your letter.

In the mean time, I am desired to acquaint you, that the utmost despatch will be made to forward the request of Congress for the defence of the liberties of the United Colonies.

I am, sir, your most obedient humbles servant,

ROBERT FRAILL, Clerk to the Committee of Northampton County.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

HENRY HALLER TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read July 8, 1776.]

Reading, July 6, 1776.

SIR: Last night the messenger arrived with your letter to the Committee of Berks County, requesting us to use the utmost despatch in sending off the troops to be raised here for the defence of the middle Colonies.

It will be unnecessary at this time to acquaint you of the measures pursued by us for the more speedy raising of the men, as the Congress are already informed of them by our letters. We have only to add, that you may depend upon our utmost diligence in completing the companies, and marching them without loss of time, wherein we apprehend no other difficulty than what may arise from the want of muskets, of which we have directed the Captains to purchase as many as possible, and should be glad to be informed by what means the men are to be supplied with the remainder.

By order of the Committee.

I am, your most obedient and very humble servant,

HENRY HALLER, Chairman.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

CONFERENCE WITH INDIANS AT FORT PITT.

Fort Pitt, July 6, 1776.

At a Meeting held this day at this place, present: Kiashuta, a Mingo Chief, just returned from the treaty at Niagara; Captain Pipe, a Delaware Chief; the Shade, a Shawnees Chief, with several others, Shawnees and Delawares; likewise Major Trent, Major Ward, Captain Nevill, his officers, and a number pf the inhabitants. After being seated, Kiashuta made the following speech:

"BROTHERS: Three months ago, I left this place to attend a treaty at Niagara, to be held between the commanding officer at that place, and Six Nations, Shawnees, Delawares &c.; but I was stopped near a month at Caughnawaga, as the commanding officer had sent word to the Indians not to assemble until he should hear from Detroit. While I was at Caughnawaga, eight hundred Indians of the Six Nations, hearing of my intention of going to the treaty, came to meet and go with me. Just as we arrived at a small village beyond Caughnawaga, they received a message from the commanding officer, acquainting them that the treaty was over; but they, notwithstanding, persisted in going. I received a message at the same time, inviting me to come, and assuring me that the Council fire was not entirely extinguished. Upon my arrival with the rest of the Indians, I informed the commanding officer that I had come a great distance to hear what he had to say, and desired that he would inform me; but he told me that he was not yet prepared to speak with me, which ended our conference."

Kiashuta then produced a belt of the wampum which was to be sent from the Six Nations to the Shawnees, Delawares, Wyandots, and Western Indians, acquainting them that they were determined to take no part in the present war between Great Britain and America, and desiring them to do the same.

N. B.—Kiashuta has the belt, and is ordered by the Six Nations to send it through the Indian country.

He then addressed himself to the Virginians and Pennsylvanians in the following manner:

"BROTHERS: We will not suffer either the English or the Americans to march an army through our country, Should either attempt it, we shall forewarn them three times from proceeding; but should they then persist, they must abide by the consequences. I am appointed by the Six Nations to the care of this country, that is, to the care of the Indians on the west side of the River Ohio; and I desire you will not think of an expedition against Detroit, for (I repeat it to you again) we will not suffer an army to march through our country."—A String.

Kiashuta again rose, and spoke as follows;

"BROTHERS: Should any mischief chance to be committed by any of our people, you must not blame the Nations, nor think it was done by the approbation of the Chiefs; for the Six Nations have strictly forbidden any of their young men or tributaries to molest any people on their waters; but if they are determined to go to war, let them go to Canada, and fight there."—A String.

Kiashuta then addressed himself to Captain Pipe, a Delaware Chief, desiring him to inform his Nation of what he had heard, and to request them to be strong, and join with the other Nations in keeping peace in his country.—A String.