cause of our country, and we trust it will be considered in that light by the honourable Congress.

We are, with great respect, sir, your most obedient and very humble servants,

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

WILLIAM H. ATLEE TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read July 16, 1776.]

In Committee, Lancaster, July 13, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: The Committee were this afternoon honoured with your instructions of the 12th instant, with the resolve of Congress empowering and requesting the Committee to keep a guard over the prisoners in the Barracks in this place, and to surround the Barracks with a stockade fort. The Committee will give the strictest attention to the matters recommended to their notice by Congress, and will have these resolves carried into execution with all the despatch in their power. They have sent off an express to General Irving, requesting his presence to direct the form and manner of the stockade, and hope on Monday morning to begin this necessary work, and flatter themselves they will then have the opportunity of consulting with him as to the proper guard and necessary workmen, and materials to be employed and used in this business.

We have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble servants.

By order of the Committee:

WILLIAM H. ATLEE, Chairman.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO COMMITTEE OF NEW-YORK CONVENTION.

Head-Quarters, July 13, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: A multiplicity of engagements, and a continual pressure of other concerns, have prevented our proceeding in the case of the soldiers confined for treasonable practices; but as soon as time will admit, a proper attention will be paid to it. In the mean time, I beg leave to suggest the propriety of the authority of the Piovince taking some steps with regard to those persons confined by them for the same offences. They certainly are to be deemed the principals; and justice to the inferior agents, while the others pass unnoticed, I observe, only excites compassion and censure. I am very sensible it is a case full of difficulty and perplexity, and well deserving your most serious deliberation; nor do I entertain a doubt but the result will be such as will conduce to the publick good.

I have, some time ago, mentioned to the body of which you are a Committee, the necessity of falling upon some measure to remove from the city and its environs persons of known disaffection and enmity to the cause of America. The safety of the Army, the success of every enterprise, and the security of all, depend so much on adopting the most speedy and effectual steps for the purpose, that I beg leave again to repeat it, and do most earnestly entreat you to fall upon some plan for this purpose, or to give me your assistance doing it, so as to remove those disquieting and discouraging apprehensions which pervade the whole Army on this subject. A suspicion that there are many Ministerial agents among us would justly alarm soldiers of more experience and discipline than ours; and I foresee very dangerous consequences in many respects, if a remedy to the evil is not soon and efficaciously applied.

The removal of the Tory prisoners, confined in the jail of this city, is a matter to which I would solicit your attention. In every view, it appears dangerous and important. In case of an attack and alarm, there can be no doubt what part they would take, and none can tell what influence they might have.

You will, gentlemen, do me the justice to believe, that nothing but the importance and necessity of the case could induce me thus to urge these matters, in which you have also an immediate and common interest.

The gentlemen appointed to give passes to persons leaving the city, I am informed, decline acting. Great inconvenience will ensue to the citizens, if this business should be committed to officers of the Army, who, from their ignorance of the inhabitants, as well as other reasons, are wholly improper for the management of it. I should be glad if your Committee will take this matter also into their consideration.

I am, gentlemen, with great respect and regard, your most obedient and very humble servant,

GO. WASHINGTON.

To the Committee of the Honourable the Convention of the State of New-York.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO EGBERT BENSON.

Head-Quarters, New-York, July 13, 1776.

SIR: Two ships of force with their tenders have sailed up Hudson's River. I am apprehensive that they design to seize the passes in the Highlands by land, which I am informed may be done by a small body of men. I must therefore request you instantly to desire General Ten Broeck to march down as great a force as he can collect to secure them, particularly the post where the road runs over Anthony's Nose. Send off an express directly (if you please) to the west parts of Connecticut, desiring them to collect all their force at the same point, since I have the highest reason to believe it will be absolutely necessary, if it were only to prevent an insurrection of your own Tories.

I am, sir, yours, &c.,

GO. WASHINGTON,

To Egbert Benson, Esq., Chairman of the Committee of Dutchess County.

P. S. A return must be immediately made to me of the number of men you collect.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO CAPTAIN DENNIS.

Head-quarters, New-York, July 13, 1776.

SIR: Mr. Duer informs me that there are two or three vessels lying at the dock of Mr. Beverly Robinson, in the Highlands. As it is probable the men-of-war which sailed up the river yesterday may have anchored to the northward of these ships, I think it absolutely necessary that an attempt should be made to secure these vessels for future service. I have therefore to desire the favour of you to procure proper persons to bring these vessels down the river, and to anchor them under the fort where General Mifflin commands. It is absolutely necessary that this matter should be conducted with the utmost secrecy and despatch; and as I am of opinion that you possess these requisites, I have thought proper to apply to you for your services in this matter.

I am, sir, &c.,

GO. WASHINGTON.

To Captain Dennis.

TO CAPTAIN JOHN JOHNSON. INSTRUCTIONS TO SUPERINTEND THE NORTH RIVER FERRY. 1ST NEW-YORK.

It is General Washington's orders that Captain Johnson, of Colonel McDougall's Regiment, do daily attend from sunrise to dark in the evening at the North-River Ferry wharves, leading both to Powles-Hook and Hoghbook, at which, or between which places, all boats coming to the west side of the town, are to land, where he in the first place is to examine all passengers going from the town, and to see that they have genuine passes from the. Committee or one of the General Officers, In the next place, he is particularly to be attentive to the passengers who arrive in town. If they are travellers, such as he can have no suspicion of, he is only to require their names and the places where they intend to lodge, and report them to the General at noon and in the evening. If they are in any manner of suspicious characters, he is to detain them at some convenient house, to be appointed for that purpose in the neighbourhood, till he can send his report (which is to be done immediately) to Head-Quarters, and the General's determination be had thereon. He is also to examine the passengers of all other boats (besides the ferry boats) which may arrive, and report in like manner.

And in order the better to enable Captain Johnson to carry these instructions into execution, the commanding