am sensible they might before this, had proper attention been paid to cannon in season. I have been a long time endeavouring to draw the attention of the Committee to the regulation of the Navy, but hitherto without success. The present establishment certainly needs amendment, but business is so exceedingly pressing that it is impossible to form a judgment when it will be done. In my opinion a purser is a necessary officer; but as no provision is made for a purser, I think it necessary you should appoint a steward. I submit it to you whether it would not be best to appoint a man that would do for a purser, as the wages at present are much higher than will be allowed for stewards if pursers are established.

I must refer you to the papers for news, as time just now is very precious. The Declaration will no doubt give you pleasure. It will be published next Thursday at the head of the Army at New-York. I am told it is to be published this day in form in this city.

As I am obliged to catch leisure minutes to write, perhaps something may turn up between this and to-morrow morning; if so, shall give it you. Governour Hopkins, who has the direction of matters respecting the cannon at Providence, promises me that he will order the cannon for the Raleigh to be sent from thence immediately, provided the Committee there think that the furnaces will be able to cast more for those ships by the time they will be ready to receive them. So you may expect to hear from thence on this subject.

General Howe has landed part of his Army on Staten-Island, which you know was not in General Washington's power to prevent; however, the Jersey and Pennsylvania Militia, with three thousand from Maryland, are now on their march, and will soon form a very formidable army on this side Hudson's River, and General Washington has, by this time, got twenty thousand men at York, including the Militia of York and Connecticut. I cannot help flattering myself that all this, with the smiles of Providence, will enable us to give a good account of these fellows before the campaign is over. I assure you the people here begin to feel themselves. Governour Franklin is sent to Connecticut for his good behaviour.

I am, with great truth, sincerely yours,

WILLIAM WHIPPLE.

I hope you will take care that the Declaration is properly treated. Colonel Bartlett desires his compliments, and that you will excuse his writing, as he is much engaged.

Philadelphia, July 8, 1776.

This day the Committee of Safety and the Committee of Inspection went in procession to the State-House, where the Declaration of the Independency of the United States of America was read to a very large number of the inhabitants of this City and County, which was received with general applause and heartfelt satisfaction; and in the evening our late King's Coat-of-Arms was brought from the Hall, in the State-House, where the said King's Courts were formerly held, and burnt, amidst the acclamations of a crowd of spectators.

Easton, Northampton County, July 8, 1776.

This day, the Declaration of Independency was received here, and proclaimed in the following order: The Colonel, and all other Field-Officers of the First Battalion, repaired to the Court-House, the Light-Infantry company marching there with drums beating, fifes playing, and the Standard, (the device for which is the Thirteen United Colonies,) which was ordered to be displayed; and after that the Declaration was read aloud to a great number of spectators, who gave their hearty assent with three loud huzzas, and cried out, "May God long preserve and unite the Free and Independent States of America."

Trenton, July 8, 1776.

The Declaration of Independence was this day proclaimed here, together with the new Constitution of the Colony, of late established, and the resolve of the Provincial Congress for continuing the administration of justice during the interim. The members of the Provincial Congress, the gentlemen of the Committee, the officers and privates of the Militia, under arms, and a large concourse of the inhabitants attended on this great and solemn occasion. The Declaration and other proceedings were received with loud acclamations.

The people are now convinced, of what we ought long since to have known, that our enemies have left us no middle way between perfect freedom and abject slavery. In the field, we trust, as well as in council, the inhabitants of New-Jersey will be found ever ready to support the freedom and independence of America.

GENERAL MERCER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Elizabethtown, July 8, 1776.

SIR: On examining Bergen-Neck I found some stock of black cattle and horses still remained there; and that some families on the point held an intercourse with the enemy. Colonel Ford assured me he would have all those removed today. His force amounts to no more than three hundred and fifty, and those begin to be dissatisfied at remaining on duty, while the Militia of the neighbourhood are dismissed. After leaving proper guards at the ferries of Hackensack and Passaick, there is not a number sufficient in this quarter to reinforce the party on Bergen-Neck to five hundred. We are informed of a body of Militia being on the march from Pennsylvania. On their arrival I shall order part of them to Bergen-Neck. I hope for instructions as to the destination of them generally. Colonel Putnam has directed some works for the defence of Elizabethtown-Ferry, and adjacent approaches to this place. No ground from thence to Newark-Bay will serve for erecting a battery. On the Bergen shore the land is proper, but the channel is so wide that little advantage will accrue as to guarding that bay.

The boats and canoes along this shore to Amboy are removed up the creeks, and secured under guards.

One William Ash, with his wife and family, taken last Tuesday, on their way from York to Newark, came in to-day from Staten-Island, by a pass from General Howe, Their intelligence coincides with what we had formerly, that the number of the enemy amounts to nine or ten thousand; they lie cantoned in the farmers' houses along the shores of the Island, slack on their guards and no intrenchments. The frigate that lay some days ago in Princess-Bay was this morning under sail, making towards the town of Amboy. I intend for that place today.

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

HUGH MERCER.

To His Excellency General Washington.

EXAMINATION OF WILLIAM ASH, FROM STATEN-ISLAND.

July 8, 1776.

He left New-York last Tuesday morning, in a boat bound to Paulus-Hook, commanded by Joseph Harcomb, belonging to New-York. Instead of landing him at Paulus Hook, he would go over the Bay to the Kills. When examinant saw the tender, he told the boatman it was a tender; the boatman said it was the Amboy privateer, and immediately a gun fired, when the boatman dropped sail and came to. Captain Dickinson, of the Greyhound, came aboard, and told them that all the passengers should go ashore, but the boatman was to stay.

They went on shore next morning, where they were kindly treated. General Howe lives in Mr. Banckcr's house, but Mr. Bancker is sent on board a man-of-war. Their numbers were reported to be between eight and nine thousand men. The men appeared to be hearty. They could get no provision but a little pickled pork, which cost them seven pence per pound. That the Jersey people had taken off all the cattle, and there was nothing to be had. He thinks if they cannot get provisions from somewhere else they must starve. No vegetables to be had; even the General could get none. He saw Doctor Mallet, Oliver De Lancey, Stephen De Lancey, one Prior, a carpenter, Barrow, Cortlandt Skinner, Major Bayard, one Perry, (Yates's clerk,) and one Troup, with red hair; and others whom he knew. George Barnes and Richard Lawrence. appeared violent against him.

Governour Tryon was at Cuckold's Town on Saturday last, inlisting men. He was to inlist thirteen hundred men from Long-Island and Staten-Island, who were to be joined by thirteen hundred regulars, who were to be left for the