He also recommended to the Shade, a Shawnees Chief, to do the same. He then desired the foregoing speech might be distributed through the country, to quiet the minds of the people, and convince them that the Six Nations and their adherents did not desire to live at variance with them.

To which Captain Nevill returned the following answer:

"BROTHER KIASHUTA: I am much obliged to you for your good speech on the present occasion. You may depend we shall not attempt to march an army through your country, without first acquainting you with it, unless we hear of a British army coming this course; in such case, we must make all possible speed to march and endeavour to stop them."

To which Kiashuta replied, there was not the least danger of that, as they should make it their business to prevent either an English or an American army from passing through their country.

SAMUEL TUCKER TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read July 8, 1776.]

Trenton, July 6, 1776.

SIR: Your letter of the 5th was delivered me this moment, and shall lay the enclosed before our Convention this afternoon. The resolution respecting the officers and soldiers prisoners in this Colony has relieved me from any more anxious thoughts on account of these gentry.

The enclosed will inform you of particulars. I hope Congress will attend particularly to the Flying-Camp and establishing a magazine of powder, &c., in the eastern part of this Colony. Our Convention removed yesterday morning from Burlington to this place, in order to be more in the way of intelligence and out of the way of the officers prisoners, &c.

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

SAMUEL TUCKER,

To the Honourable John Hancock.

In Provincial Congress, New Jersey,

Trenton, July 6, 1776.

SIR: As the eastern part of our Colony is now unhappily exposed to the ravages of the enemy, a large army being in possession of Staten-Island, which is divided from us by a narrow river only, we must beg the attention of the Continental Congress to our present situation.

Although in this Congress we repose the utmost confidence in your wisdom and care, and doubt not you will provide fully for the defence of every part of the Continent, yet we are sorry to find that the people are alarmed and uneasy. Their being sent to New-York in such numbers, and the Flying-Camp being so slow in taking their place, is one cause of dissatisfaction; but, above all, the people wish to see a sufficient supply of ammunition. We hope that General Mercer's camp will be fully provided; but some visible source from whence our Militia could depend upon being furnished on occasion, would give great pleasure. The two tons of powder lately received was distributed to the counties from Burlington eastward, on account of their vicinity to New-York, and some of them were wholly destitute. It is said to be insufficient under the present circumstances, of which we hope you will take notice and take care for a sufficient quantity there. Of the western Counties, Salem and Cumberland are still unprovided with ammunition; and as, in the present season, it is absolutely necessary that all the Militia should have some small supply, we request that Congress would grant us half a ton of powder, on account of the Colony, for the use of those two counties.

We are, sir, your most humble servants.

By order of Congress:

SAMUEL TUCKER, President.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

P. S. Colonel Brearley is just now arrived from Allentown, which is in the neighbourhood of the Monmouth insurgents. He supposes that not more than one hundred have been over together; they had confederated under oath, at least part of them; about thirty are flying on board the enemy's fleet, our Militia in pursuit, and numbers of the lesser offenders coming back to their duty, upon encouragement we have thought proper to give to such as shall appear to have been deluded. The leaders, if they can be apprehended, will be punished; if they escape, some of them have left estates. The Colonel at Shrewsbury has offered, to resign, making great complaints of the backwardness, "to say no worse," as he expresses himself, of his people; "so few of whom," he tells us, "are ready to turn out, (hiding themselves and deserting their homes) whenever he marches to defend the shores," that he is discouraged. As we hope the Rifle battalion, will have little remaining to detain them in the upper end of the County, we have ventured to encourage him with the expectation of their assisting him at the lower end. The Freehold and Middletown people, who form one large battalion, are, we believe, very hearty, and will assist as much as possible, both at Shrewsbury and the neighbourhood of Sandy-Hook.

GENERAL LIVINGSTON TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Elizabethtown, July 6, 1776.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: This moment an; express arrived from Major Duyckinck, a copy of whose letter I enclose, to save time. I should be glad of some immediate directions what to do with the prisoners, as in the mean time I am obliged to keep them under guard. I am acquainted with but one of them, John Smyth, Esq., who is a man of so great integrity that I think great faith may be given to his word. If they are to remain in this Province, I know of nothing that can be done with them so, conveniently as to forward them on to the Convention, who can provide for their safekeeping. The internal Counties are now so destitute of men that I should think it dangerous to trust these prisoners there; nor do I know in whom in those parts to put sufficient confidence to intrust their safekeeping.

I am under the greatest difficulty with regard to ammunition. The whole back militia being unprovided with ammunition, I am prevented from sending such detachments to particular places as I think necessary, for want of powder and ball.

Since writing the above, Captain Kennedy and Mr. Cuyler are sent in prisoners from Newark.

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

WILLIAM LIVINGSTON.

To His Excellency General Washington.

P. S. In consequence of Major Duyckinck's letter, I have detached two hundred and fifty men to him from the Hunterdon and Morris Militia.

MAJOR DUYCKINCK TO GENERAL LIVINGSTON.

Head-Quarters, Perth Amboy, July 6, 1776.

SIR: In pursuance of an order received last night from General Heard, have taken into custody the following persons: John Smyth, Esq., Philip Kearney, Michael Kearney, William Hick, Thomas Skinner, Dr. John Lawrence, Captain Turnbull, Johnstone Fairholme, and Isaac Bunnel, whom I now convey to you.

We last night received intelligence per General Heard, about twelve o'clock, that he had, by two different persons who made their escape from the Island, received such strong assurances that we were last night to be attacked by a strong body, that he ordered us immediately to leave the town, and repair to some proper ground out of town; which we accordingly did, and am sorry to say with much precipitation, as the troops were greatly alarmed by the sudden and unexpected orders. We kept a good look-out for the remainder of the night, and this morning early returned again to town.

The enemy appear much in the same situation as mentioned in my last, only the plain appearance of artillery, which they have mounted opposite the town.

We can't help thinking our situation precarious with the few troops here, and could wish a reinforcement as soon as may be convenient.

In haste, remain your humble servant,

JOHN DUYCKINCK.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL LIVINGSTON,

Head-Quarters, New-York, July 6, 1776,

Five o'clock, P. M.

SIR: Your favour of this date, enclosing Major Duyckinck's letter, was this moment received. The known dis-