penetrate into it by way of the Lakes and the North River, and to unite their attacks, the importance of it has induced Congress to take further measures for baffling their designs and rendering it more secure. You will see by the resolves now transmitted, that the Northern Army is to be augmented by part of the troops under your command; and I do desire that you will immediately detach for that purpose three of the fullest regiments forthwith to march to Ticonderoga, or such other place as the said Army may be at, and put themselves under the order and directions of the General Officer commanding the same.

You will also perceive that Congress have resolved: that the arms taken in the Scotch transports should be sent here. The President informs me that he has written to the agents respecting them; but as I presume they are in your possession, or in some of the stores by your order, you will have the whole of them forwarded with all possible despatch, in the usual route, and with necessary directions.

Congress have made some alteration in the establishment of Chaplains, and advanced their pay, as they have that of the Regimental Surgeons, as you will see by their proceedings, copies of which in these instances are also transmitted.

You will be particularly attentive to hastening the march of the three regiments, and give proper orders for their route, and to the Commissary and Quartermaster, that everything necessary for the same may be immediately provided. Their aid is much wanted, and may be of the utmost importance. When they have marched, you will be pleased to put the remaining regiments under the command of the oldest Colonel, with such instructions as you may judge necessary, and then retire, if it shall be agreeable to you, for the recovery of your health, as I cannot possibly request you longer to continue; and wishing you a speedy restoration of it, I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GO. WASHINGTON.

To Major-General Ward.

P. S. I would have you consult with proper persons, and some of the members of the General Court, respecting the route of the three regiments to be detached to the Northern Army. And if they shall be of opinion, that they may probably arrive there as soon if they come to Norwich and embark from thence for Albany, I should think that would be most preferable, for two reasons: First, it will ease the troops of much fatigue; and, secondly, they might, if there was a necessity for it, afford succour here as they passed. I do not mean to give any direction in the matter; nor do I wish this mode to be adopted, unless there appears to be a probability of their arriving where they are intended to be sent by Congress, as early as if they pursued their march by land and across the country.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO MASSACHUSETTS ASSEMBLY.

New-York, July 9, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: You will perceive by the enclosed Declaration, which I have the honour to transmit to you, that Congress of late have been employed in deliberating on matters of the utmost importance. Impelled by necessity and a repetition of injuries insufferable, without the most distant prospect of relief, they have asserted the claims of the American Colonies to the rights of humanity, and declared them free and independent States.

Judging, from a variety of circumstances, that the British arms are meant to be directed this campaign against the State of New-York to effect its reduction, Congress have empowered me to order the three fullest regiments of their troops in the Massachusetts-Bay to reinforce our Northern Army, as you will see by a copy of their resolve, which 1 have enclosed. I have accordingly, by the advice of my General Officers, requested General Ward to detach them with all possible expedition to join that Army, and prevent the fatal and alarming consequences that would result from the enemy's passing the Lakes and making an impression on our frontiers. I am almost morally certain that no attempts will be made on the Massachusetts-Bay; and if there should, they must prove abortive and ineffectual—the Militia, independent of other troops, being more than competent to all the purposes of defensive war. However, should it be deemed expedient by your honourable body, Congress have authorized you to embody and take into pay a number of Militia equal to the regiments to be detached.

I have the honour to be, with great respect, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

GO. WASHINGTON.

To the Hon. General Court of Massachusetts-Bay.

Resolve for sending three Regiments from MASSACHUSETTS BAY, to reinforce the Northern Army.

In Congress, July 4, 1776.

Resolved, That General Washington be empowered, if he shall judge it advisable, to order three of the fullest Regiments stationed in Massachusetts-Bay to be immediately marched to Ticonderoga, and that an equal number of the Militia of that State be taken into pay, and imbodied for its defence, if the Government of Massachusetts-Bay judge it necessary.

ROBERT H. HARRISON.

New-York, July 11, 1776.

The fourth instant was rendered remarkable by the most important event that ever happened to the American Colonies; an event which will doubtless be celebrated through a long succession of future ages, by anniversary commemorations, and be considered as a grand era in the history of the American States. On this auspicious day, the Representatives of the Thirteen United Colonies, by the providence of God, unanimously agreed to, and voted a Proclamation, declaring the said Colonies free and independent States, which was proclaimed at the State-House, in Philadelphia, on Monday last, and received with joyful acclamations. Copies were also distributed to all the United Colonies. On Tuesday last, it was read at the head of each Brigade of the Continental Army posted at and near New-York, and everywhere received with loud huzzas, and the utmost demonstrations of joy.

The same evening, the equestrian statue of George III., which Tory pride and folly raised in the year 1770, was, by the sons of freedom, laid prostrate in the dirt, the just desert of an ungrateful tyrant! The lead wherewith this monument was made is to be run into bullets, to assimilate with the brain of our infatuated adversaries, who, (o gain a peppercorn, have lost an empire.*

DUTCHESS COUNTY (NEW-YORK) COMMITTEE.

In General Committee,

Dutchess County, July 9, 1776.

This is to certify, that John R. Livingston proved to the satisfaction of this Committee, by his own affidavit and the affidavits of the principal millwright and principal manufacturer, that his Powder-Mill in this County was completed before the 20th day of May last, and that the quantity of one thousand pounds of good merchantable gunpowder was manufactured at the said mill in one week, or seven days successively. By order of the Committee:

EGBERT BENSON, Chairman.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO CAPTAIN SHAW.

Lebanon, July 9, 1776.

SIR: On receipt of this, you are desired to prepare and forthwith transmit to me a particular account of the cannon left at New-London by Commodore Hopkins, their number, size, bore, and weight, how they are disposed of, and where to be found at this time; also, an account of the other cannon at New-London belonging to the Colony, their number, size, bore, and weight; particularly distinguished from those brought in by Commodore Hopkins. There is high probability that the fortifications building at the harbour of New-London will be at Continental expense. I thank you for yours of yesterday. The law has made provision for the supply of Captain Richard Deshon. The arms you imported may be purchased by the Selectmen, and paid by order to the Pay-Table for that end.

From your humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

To Captain Nathaniel Shaw, Jun., New-London.

P. S. Please send me also, by itself, an account of the stores left by the Commodore, and how we are provided for necessaries for the cannon, shot, &c.

* Lord Clare, in the House of Commons, declared that a peppercorn, in acknowledgment of Britain's right to tax America, was of more importance than millions without it.