CAPTAIN CREGIER TO THOMAS RANDALL.

Shrewsburytown, July 9, 1776.

WORTHY SIR: After my due respects to you and your honourable. House, I am to inform you what has brought me to this place. You must, in the first place, know my business here is to draw on you for some cash, which Mr. John Murray has supplied me with—sixteen pounds sixteen shillings—on account of your schooner General Putnam, for which I have given a bill payable at three days' sight, which I hope will meet with honour. I should not have come this far, but I understood at Squam Inlet, where I left my vessel this morning, that there was a letter here for me; but it has been intercepted. Sir, on the 5th of this instant, being about nine miles distant to the southeast of Egg-Harbour, I saw two sail standing to the northward; I then gave them chase, the wind being light; I got out my oars, and rowed until three o'clock in the afternoon, when the wind came to the southwest. After eleven hours' chase, I drew near them. I then shortened sail, and got all clear for action. At four in the afternoon, I got within one hundred and seventy yards of the stern-most ship, in order to board her; but she, putting her helm hard a starboard, hauled up her ports, and gave me her whole broadside of ten guns. She proved to be a Ministerial pirate of twenty guns. I hauled my wind in for the shore; she did the same, and continued firing without intermission. When I was within four hundred yards of the shore, I made a small tack, but being very near her, I received her whole broadside, at which I hove about, and ran ashore about forty yards from Squam Met. I then got all my arms and ammunition on the beach, and the ship came to anchor about a quarter of a mile from us, and began a heavy firing upon us, and continued their fire for near half an hour, when at last she hoisted out two barges and manned them with about fifty men; but as they approached the shore, we handled them, so roughly that they were obliged to make a scandalous retreat. She continued her fire until dark, when she weighed, expending upward of four hundred pounds of powder. I had seventeen large holes in any mainsail, and some shot in my hull. When the tide made, I got my vessel into this inlet, where I will repair as soon as possible, and hope to pay the pirates for this usage.

I am, sir, your humble servant,

THOMAS CREGIER.

To Thomas Randall, Esquire, Member of the Provincial Congress, or in his absence, Jacobus Van Zandt, Esquire, Member as aforesaid.

P. S. They were both ships. The money I have taken up of Mr. Murray is to defray some expenses I am at for the vessel, and to purchase a little spirits for my people, who (some of them) are sick drinking the bad water that is on this coast. If you have any further orders for me, direct for me at James Randall's, at Cranberry. There has not been any vessel arrived in any of the inlets these six weeks past, which much surprises me. Please to deliver the enclosed letter.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR COOKE.

Head-Quarters, New-York, July 9, 1776.

SIR: By a letter received by Congress from Mr. Thomas Green, copy of which they did me the honour to enclose, I have the pleasure to hear of the arrival of Captain Chase, with a valuable cargo, at Providence. And as that honourable body have been pleased to order the flints at Rhode-Island belonging to the Continent, to he sent to me here, (as per their resolution enclosed,) I would therefore request you would cause it to be done without the smallest delay, together with the small-arms which came in the vessel. As to the duck, if it is of the kind suitable for tents, either the whole or part, I should be greatly obliged to you if you would order them made up as fast as possible, and for-warded to Norwich; but if it is coarse and stubborn, and of a quality unfit for the above purpose, it will be unnecessary to give yourself any trouble about the matter.

I am very sorry I cannot spare you a General Officer, agreeable to your desire, to take command of the forces belonging to Rhode-Island, but in the present critical juncture it is utterly out of my power to comply with your request. General Mercer is the only officer who has no brigade assigned him; and at a time when we are in constant expectation of some important movement of the enemy, his presence is so necessary here that it cannot possibly be dispensed with. The best expedient that can be fallen upon, I presume, would be to give the command to the senior officer of the troops till a Brigadier is appointed.

I have only to add, that I am, with much respect, sir, your most obedient servant,

GO WASHINGTON.

To the Honourable Nicholas Cooke, Esq.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Head-Quarters, New-York, July 9, 1776.

SIR: Yours of the—instant is safely come to hand. Colonel Seymour arrived yesterday with a few of his men, when I sent for and acquainted him it would be impossible for me to have his horses remain here. Forage is not to be procured; and if it could, it would only be a great expense, without a single advantage arising from it.

The men are absolutely necessary, till the arrival of the new levies. Colonel Seymour is to propose the matter to them this morning, and return me an answer. We have intelligence that may be relied on, of Lord Howe being on his passage for this place, with a large fleet and about fifteen thousand men, and is hourly expected. By several deserters from Staten-Island and the ships of war, whose accounts all agree, we learn that General Howe proposes no attempt on us till the arrival of this reinforcement, when, it is said, with a part of his army he will make a descent on the Jersey side, while the fleet and the other part of the army in conjunction, attack this city. To oppose this force, in which the Ministry put so much confidence, I think it necessary, to exert our every nerve, and, by defeating their views this campaign, be enabled to meet them with double advantage the next. Should they think proper to pursue their unwarrantable measures, I hope the good people of your Colony or State will be ready on all occasions to fly to our assistance, if needed; I have a confidence in them, and doubt not they will be ready and willing.

To prevent the enemy from obtaining fresh provisions, is a matter highly necessary to be attended to. I am informed that there are great quantities on the Islands in the neighbourhood of New-London, viz: Fisher's, Block, Plumb, and Elizabeth Islands, and Martha's Vineyard; these are accessible to ships of force, and no doubt they will soon be on a plundering voyage. I could wish your attention to this matter, that the stock might all be removed quite out of reach of the enemy. The east end of Long-Island, I am told, is not less exposed than the others. I think effectual steps will be taken in regard to that, as I have had a conference with the Convention of this Province, and an order has gone out for driving all the stock from the sea-coasts.

In the conference of a full board of General Officers yesterday, it was recommended that I should apply to your Honour for the three row-galleys, being now at New-London, or in the river, together with as many heavy cannon as you can possibly spare; they are what will be much wanted here; and if you find it consistent, would beg you to forward them on as soon as possible.

I would not have it understood, from what I have said above in regard to the Horse, that I think their coming forward a wrong step. I think it a step which was highly advisable, and am much pleased to see with what cheerfulness and despatch your orders were executed. This body of Horse, provided they are well armed with good muskets, must always be of greater service, on sudden emergencies to throw in succours when called for, than the Militia.

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

GO. WASHINGTON.

To Governour Trumbull, of the State of Connecticut.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL WARD.

New-York, July 9, 1776.

SIR: The enclosed Declaration will show you that Congress, at length impelled by necessity, have dissolved the connexion between the American Colonies and Great Britain, and declared them free and independent States; and in compliance with their order, I am to request you will cause this Declaration to be immediately proclaimed at the head of the Continental Regiments in the Massachusetts-Bay.

It being evident from a variety of concurring circumstances, that the British armies mean to direct their most vigorous operations this campaign against the State of New-York, to