to sustain the burden? The continent we apprehend should defend the continent. We are loath to strike more money. Taxes to any very great amount would be highly imprudent at this time.

What are we to do?—what to expect? You will forgive us if we beg you to be explicit and speedy in your answer, as the exigency admits of no delay.

Colonel Broadhead, by our advice, has marched forward to Amboy, the Tories in Monmouth having been already crushed by our Militia. His presence at Amboy will not be unseasonable. We are, sir, your most humble servants.

By order of Congress:

SAMUEL TUCKER, President.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

P. S. We omitted to mention that General Washington has dismissed a great part of our Militia from New-York, with orders to put themselves under General Livingston's direction in New-Jersey.

JOSEPH BARTON TO HENRY WISNER.

Newton, Sussex County, Jersey, July 9, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I received your favour of the 5th instant, relating to flint-stones. I have sent a sample of the flint our country abounds in. If there can be any way of manufacturing that sort of flint to any advantage, there is enough of it; besides, there are two other sorts—a red flint (which is found about Menesint, which far exceeds any flint imported from Europe) and a green. The green flint which I have sent you is better than the common sort of flint used. It is harder, and will fire oftener without sharpening. Besides these mentioned, there is a black flint, commonly found incorporated with limestone. Our country abounds in great plenty of this sort. I have often made use of it for gunflints, but don't think they are equal to the other sorts. Another sort we sometimes use, which we call the crystal flint, resembling the diamond amongst us. They are commonly small, but at Membacas, near Esopus, they are very large. Could they be manufactured, would far exceed any imported. But, sir, we want nope of the flint here: you may have them all, for we have no powder, which gives great uneasiness to the people in general, as we expect an Indian war, should our forces fail to the northward. For my own part, could I procure powder at forty shillings, should embrace the opportunity. As to lead, there is a good lead-mine at Nepenoh. I have used the lead oftentimes: we could help ourselves to that article.

I pray, if in your power, you would order powder, if it were but a quarter of a pound, each man. I should rest much easier for my part, and think we could defend ourselves, if attacked by our enemies, in some measure; but now we have nothing but our axes or sticks to fight with, should we be attacked. As to the lead mine. I could wish it might be worked in; I should be glad to undertake that matter, and would give considerable towards it myself. I have sent three different sorts of flint stone—the black is the limestone flint.

Sir, it gives a great turn to the minds of our people declaring our independence. Now we know what to depend on. For my part, I have been at a great stand: I could hardly own the King, and fight against him at the same time; but now these matters are cleared up. Heart and hand shall move together. I don't think there will be five Tories in our part of the country in ten days after matters are well known. We have had great numbers who would do nothing until we were declared a free State, who now are ready to spend their lives and fortunes in defence of our country.

I must, my dear friend, bid you farewell. May the Supreme Judge of all things sit at the head of our affairs, and give that great and august body, the Congress, wisdom to govern us, and by their wisdom make this continent a great and happy empire. I expect a great turn one way or the other before I see you again.

I am, sir, your loving and affectionate cousin,

JOSEPH BARTON.

To Henry Wisner, Esq.

N. B. I believe, sir, could the gentlemen see one Island in the drowned land near Jacobus Ducker's, called Flint-Island, they would think we could supply all Europe with gun-flints, besides our own country.

J. B.

IBBETSON HAMER (PRISONER OF WAR) TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Kingsberry, near Trenton, July 9, 1776.

SIR: I have some reason to believe that you have done me the favour to answer a former letter written you, which I have not been so fortunate as to receive. The reason of this my second application, is on account of a late order of the Continental Congress for removing the officers to the interior part of Pennsylvania; and as I suppose the order supersedes the leave you was so kind as to give me to reside near Princeton, I now take the liberty to acquaint you, that on my application to Mr. Tucker, he recommended it to me to make this application to you for leave to remain in the same quarter for some time longer, with permission to come as far as Trenton.

I should not have made this application, but for some circumstances which have happened, and which make it of the utmost consequence to my future happiness. Doctor Bryant, with whom I am now, is the bearer of this, and returns in a day or two, by whom I hope to be favoured with your answer.

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

IBBETSON HAMMER.

To the Hon. John Hancock, Esq., at Philadelphia.

GENERAL MERCER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Amboy, July 9, 1776.

SIR: Nothing extraordinary has happened here. The frigate that appeared yesterday under sail, standing towards the town, is now out of view—supposed to be in Prince's Bay. At this post and the Blazing-Star, are posted about one thousand of the New-Jersey Militia. They begin to be so anxious to return to their harvest, under the apprehension of their families' being without support, if they continue longer, that I have permitted a draught from each company to be discharged—about two hundred in all, and have assured the others they shall be relieved when the Pennsylvania Militia arrive.

Ten or twelve days hence the harvest, I am told, will be secured; when it is so, the Militia will return on duty with pleasure, and in the mean time will assemble at the first summons. Some troops from Pennsylvania are now at Brunswick; but whether they are composed of the Militia, or those intended to form the Flying-Camp, I have not yet been informed.

The enemy on the point, in view of town, appear to be but few—works of defence thrown up—two pieces of field artillery only.

We have found a convenient and strong situation for fixing an encampment within a mile of Am boy; but if the body of men intended to encamp here are to cover not only this Province, but Philadelphia, or occasionally march to New-York, I should think Brunswick, as being most centrically to all those, would be the most proper place to rendezvous. It seems to me most eligible to relieve the Jersey Militia with whatever troops come immediately from Pennsylvania; and about twelve days after, when their harvest is secured, to call them in to guard their own coast, or go upon any other necessary service. This, I am persuaded, they will do with the utmost celerity.

The present situation of the enemy discovers no intention of their attacking us; it rather points out an attempt on their quarters, which being made at once at different places, would probably succeed.

The contractors for the Army here (Colonels Denham and Lowrey) tell me they have a good stock of pickled pork—upwards of eighty thousand pounds. Any quantity of live-stock and flour necessary for our supplies, may be at once procured. Colonel Putnam will give his sentiments as to the practicability of defending this town. I fear it will require more cannon and ammunition than can be spared at present. As soon as I can procure returns of the ammunition and artillery in this Province, I shall communicate them.

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

H. MERCER.

To General Washington.