Smyth, whom I think I can trust on his parole) to the Convention to-morrow morning.

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

WILLIAM LIVINGSTON.

To General Washington.

GENERAL HOWE TO LORD GEORGE GERMAINE.

Staten-Island, July 7, 1776.

MY LORD: The Mercury packet is despatched to inform your Lordship of the arrival of the Halifax fleet, on the 29th of June, at Sandy-Hook, where I arrived four days sooner in the Grayhound frigate. I met with Governour Tryon, on board of ship at the Hook, and many gentlemen, fast friends to Government, attending him, from whom I have had the fullest information of the state of the Rebels, who are numerous, and very advantageously posted, with strong intrenchments both upon Long-Island and that of New-York, with more than one hundred pieces of cannon for the defence of the town towards the, sea, and to obstruct the passage of the fleet up the North River, besides a considerable field-train of artillery. Having made inquiries of these gentlemen respecting the face of the country between Gravesend Bay in Long-Island, and the enemy's works in the neighborhood of Brooklyn, their accounts were so satisfactory that I had determined to disembark the Army at Gravesend; and with this intention the fleet moved up to the bay, on the 1st instant, in the evening, in order to land the troops at the break of day next morning; but being more particularly informed during the night of a strong pass upon a ridge of craggy heights covered with wood, that lay in the route the Army must have taken, only two miles distant from the front of the enemy's encampment and seven from Gravesend, which the Rebels would undoubtedly have occupied before the King's troops could get up to it; and from the minutest description, judging an attack upon this post, so strong by nature, and so near the front of the enemy's works, to be too hazardous an attempt, before the arrival of the troops with Commodore Hotham, daily expected, I declined the under-taking, and passing the Narrows with three ships of war and the first division of transports, landed the Grenadiers and Light-Infantry as the ships came up, to the great joy of a most loyal people, long suffering oh that account under the oppression of the Rebels stationed among them, who precipitately fled on the approach of the shipping. The remainder of the troops landed during the next day and night, and are how distributed in cantonments, where they have the best refreshments.

In justice to Captain Reynar, of his Majesty's ship Chatham, who was directed by the Admiral to make the disposition of boats for landing the troops, and to Captain Curtis, commanding the Senegal sloop-of-war; who was to super-intend the execution, I must express my entire satisfaction in the conduct of those gentlemen, and the dependence to be placed upon their future services in this line.

I propose waiting here for the English fleet, or the arrival of Lieutenant-General Clinton, in readiness to proceed, unless by some unexpected change of circumstances in the meantime, it should be found expedient to act with the present force. In case Lieutenant-General Clinton's southern operations should prevent his joining the Army here, I am apprehensive the possession of Rhode-Island, though of the most important nature, must be deferred until the arrival of the second embarcation from Europe, unless General Carleton should penetrate early into this Province, which may enable me to spare a corps adequate to that service. But as I must esteem a previous impression upon the enemy's principal force, collected in this quarter, to be the first object of my attention, I shall hold it steadily in view, without losing sight of those which, comparatively, may be esteemed collateral.

Vice-Admiral Shuldham was joined on his voyage by six transports belonging to the Highland corps, having three companies of the Forty-Second and three of the Seventy-First on board. There is no other intelligence of this embarcation, excepting an account published in the New-York papers, that two transports of the fleet were taken by the enemy's privateers, and carried into Boston; that Major Menzies was killed in the engagement, and Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, of the Seventy-First, made prisoner, with sixteen other officers, and about four hundred and fifty men. Sir W. Erskine is among those that are absent.

Governour Franklin, who for a long time maintained his ground in Jersey, has been lately taken into Custody at Ambay, and is at this time detained a prisoner in Connecticut; and the Mayor of New-York was confined a few; days ago, upon a frivolous complaint of his sending intelligence td Governour Tryon, brought to trial, and condemned td suffer death; but, by the last intelligence, the sentence was hot carried into execution.

Notwithstanding these violent proceedings, I have the satisfaction to inform your Lordship, that there is great reason to expect a numerous body of the inhabitants to join the Army from the Provinces of York, the Jerseys, and Connecticut, who, in this time of universal oppression, only wait for opportunities to give proofs of their loyalty and zeal for Government. Sixty men came over two days ago, with a few arms, from the neighbourhood of Shrewsbury, in Jersey, who are all desirous to serve; and I understand there are five hundred more in that quarter ready to follow their example. This disposition among the people makes me impatient for the arrival of Lord Howe, concluding the powers with which he is furnished will have the best effect at this critical time; but I am still of opinion that peace will not be restored in America until the Rebel Army is defeated.

I beg leave to represent to your Lordship the inconveniency arising from the want of camp-equipage at this time, which may continue during the course of this rebellion, unless sent out the year before it is to be used; also the necessity of an early supply of woollens, linen, and shoes, for the Provincial troops that I may retain in pay during the Winter, as these things are not to be had here on any terms, and the distress of the inhabitants in general is so great, from the want of those articles, that the friends of Government will suffer much, without assistance from Europe.

Lieutenant-Colonel Blunt, of the Fourth Regiment, who has my leave to return to Britain from the particular situation of his affairs, will deliver this despatch; and I have the honour to be, &c,

W. HOWE.

GENERAL WASHlNGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

New-York, July 7, 1776.

SIR: I have been honoured with your favours of the 3d and 4th instant, and return you my sincere thanks for your kind intention to afford me every assistance in your power at this truly critical and alarming period. The situation of our affairs calls aloud for the most vigorous exertions, and nothing less will be sufficient to avert the impending blow. From four prisoners, taken the other day, we are informed that General Howe has already about ten thousand men, being joined by the regiment from the West-Indies and some of the Highland troops in his passage hither; that he is in daily expectation of the arrival of Admiral Howe; and that nothing would be attempted till he came, having come from Halifax in consequence of advices received a few days before from England, that the Admiral was ready to sail with a fleet of one hundred and fifty ships, with a large reinforcement to join him here. These armies, when united, you will readily conceive, will be extremely formidable, and such as will require a large and numerous one, on our part, to oppose them. But yet I have been under the necessity of informing Colonel Silliman it will be impossible to subsist the horses of the three regiments ordered; and if it could be done, the expense would be enormous, and what I do not apprehend I have authority to assent to. At the same time, knowing the important advantages that may result from their aid, I have entreated his exertions to prevail on the men to come themselves. I hope, on the one hand, they will see the propriety of my objecting to their horses, and on the other, the necessity there is of coming themselves. My anxiety leads me to request a continuance of your good offices in forwarding the battalions ordered with all possible despatch. The interest of America is now in the balance, and it behooves all attached to her sacred cause, and the rights of humanity, to hold forth their utmost and most speedy aid. I am convinced nothing will be wanting in your power to effect.

The situation of the Northern Army is certainly distressing, but no relief can be afforded by me. This, I am persuaded, you will readily agree to. I should suppose, if proper precautions are taken, the small-pox may be prevented from spreading. This was done at Cambridge, and I trust will.