by return of the first boats. I have not had the pleasure of hearing from you since you left us. I am very anxious to know how matters go at New-York, and surprised we have no intelligence.

I am, with respect and affection, dear sir, your obedient humble servant,

B. ARNOLD.

To Major-General Gates.

P. S. Dear General: Since writing the foregoing, I have received yours of yesterday. The gin I have ordered down. I am greatly at a loss to know what to judge of the Indians. It is a matter of so much importance, I would not choose to decide on it myself. They have an interpreter with them. I could wish you would be at the trouble of examining them yourself.

I am, with great respect and esteem, dear General, most sincerely yours,

B. ARNOLD.

GENERAL ARNOLD TO GENERAL GATES.

Crown-Point, July 12, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL: The bearer (Mr. William Hay) and Henry Cross were taken from their farms at Salmon River, about fifty miles down the lake, on the west side; the former has left his wife behind, in the small-pox, and three children; the latter has sent his wife to St. John's. Part of the cattle of both are brought up here. They are suspected of being inimical to us; and having it in their power to give intelligence to the enemy, were ordered here by General Sullivan, There is a number of families under the same predicament. These people appear inoffensive. It will answer no purpose to remove a part, except the whole are removed; in which case provision must be made for them. I have referred them to you for decision; and am, dear General, your most humble servant,

B. ARNOLD..

To Major General Gates.

COLONEL BEDEL TO GENERAL GATES.

Crown-Point, July 12, 1776.

SIR: I am now under confinement these forty days or more, for a crime I am sensible I am innocent of, and which I hope your Honour will find. I am under a court of inquiry—only wait the decision of the affair. Shall be glad your Honour will let me have the liberty to repair to Ticonderoga, and have it determined. The President and part of the members are there; shall be glad the rest might be ordered to attend. The present situation of my regiment—I not being in a capacity to look after them—renders it very disagreeable; also my private affairs at home, in regard to my family and interest, which lies upon one of the frontier towns which is most liable to be exposed to the rage of the savages; and the news I might receive from that part, that they are all destroyed, would be no more than might be expected, when their situation is considered, as we may suppose the savages have penetrated that way. Colonel St. Clair, who is President of the court of inquiry, will be able to inform your Honour into the affair. I cannot help repeating a desire to have the affair settled as soon as possible, so that I may have a final determination, according to my deserts.

I am your Honour's most obedient humble servant,

TIMOTHY BEDEL.

To Major-General Gates.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Lebanon, July 12, 1776,

SIR: The bearer hereof, Captain Jonathan Lester, of Norwich, in this Colony, an approved builder, has undertaken and raised a company of carpenters, in consequence of your requisitions, and entered into the articles of contract by you proposed, but in haste has inadvertently omitted taking a duplicate of the contract properly executed by his whole company, which may yet be done, as his men will be with him on the spot. From this hint you will perceive what will be needful to be done in that respect. You will find Captain Lester to be a gentleman of honour and probity, industrious and skilful in his profession, and one that governs his men with prudence and good example. From the knowledge I have of him, I can heartily recommend him to be worthy of trust and favourable notice. His men are on their march, and will probably arrive to receive your particular orders as soon as possible.

I am, most respectfully, sir, your obedient, humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

To the Hon. Major-General Schuyler.

CONNECTICUT COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

At a meeting of the Governour and Council of Safety of Connecticut, at Hartford, Friday, July 5th, 1776:

Present: His Honour the Governour, Eliphalet Dyar, Jabez Huntington, William Williams, Titus Hosmer, Jedediah Elderkin, and Nathaniel Wales, Esquires,

Governour Franklin, of New-Jersey, was brought hither last evening, having been taken up by the Convention of his Province as a virulent enemy to the United Colonies, and to be confined in such place and manner as the Continental Congress shall direct; and they have directed him to be sent to Governour Trumbull, with the following Resolve, viz:

"In Congress, June 24, 1776.

"Whereas the Convention of New-Jersey has declared William Franklin, Esq., to be a virulent enemy to this country, and a person that may prove dangerous, and that the said William Franklin be confined in such place and manner as the Continental Congress shall direct:

"Resolved, That William Franklin, Esq., be sent under guard to Governour Trumbull, who is desired to take his parole; and if Mr. William Franklin refuse to give his parole, that Governour Trumbull be desired to treat him agreeable to the resolutions of Congress respecting prisoners."

Letter and Resolve brought in last evening by Thomas Kenny, Esq., officer of the guard of escort, and this morning he applied for direction; and a parole was prepared; and said Franklin, moved by letter, for alteration, and liberty to return on his parole, &c., and answer made, &c., in writing, &c., took up most of the forenoon.

The subject of answering, and manner how, of many Letters from Congress &c., considered, and good deal discoursed, &c.

Finding he could not be returned to Jersey, &c., moved by the officer to have leave to go to Stratford, and was told by officer he might go to Wallingford.

Message was returned in writing, &c., that Governour Trumbull might do as he pleased with him, &c.

Colonels Dyar and Williams waited on him, by desire, &c., and finally he consented to go there, and signed his parole accordingly.

Mr. Job Window, builder of the Galley Crane, laid in his Bill and Accounts, and the same were examined, adjusted, and allowed, being in the whole £1013 6s. 10d.; he having received, by two drafts, £700, the balance, being £313 6s. 10d., is ordered to be drawn for; and orders given accordingly. (Delivered to said Winslow.)

Letters partly prepared for Congress, and many weighty matters, &c.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning.

Saturday, July 6, 1776.

Met according to adjournment.

Present, as yesterday: His Honour the Governour, Eliphalet Dyar, Jabez Huntington, William Williams, Titus Hosmer, Jedediah Elderkin, and Nathaniel Wales, Esqrs.

Congress Letters received, and considerations about an answer, &c.

Colonel Mott came in, moving about his affairs, &c.

Captain Niles moving for Instructions, &c.; on consideration, voted the following Instructions:

"To Captain Robert Niles, of the Colony armed Schooner Spy, greeting:

"You are hereby instructed carefully and diligently to attend the duty of your station and department; to keep a careful watch and lookout for any and every hostile ship or vessel which may be hovering about our coasts, take any that you can, give every signal and intelligence of and concerning them in your power; and for the advantage of the trade and friends of the country, you are also to take care