officer of the North-River guard is to give him every necessary aid in his power. Captain Johnson is to communicate these instructions to the Committee appointed to give passes.

By the General's order at Head-Quarters, this 13th of July, 1776.

STIRLING.

NEW-YORK COMMITTEE.

Committee Chamber, New-York, July 13, 1776.

Resolved, That in the opinion of this Committee, the Members of the different Fire-Engine Companies that remain in this City ought not: to be called out on any military duty which the common Militia of this City and County are subject to; and that it be recommended to the different Captains of the said Firemen, to engage as many able citizens as are sufficient to fill up the vacancies of such Firemen as are entered in the Continental service, or have removed out of town; and that they pay strict attention to the state of the Engine and publick buckets; and that the Captains aforesaid return a list of all such Firemen as soon as possible to this Committee.

Extract from the Minutes.

Published by order of the Committee:

JOSEPH WINTER, Secretary.

JOHN McKESSON TO ROBERT BENSON.

Saturday, A. M., 10 o'clock.

DEAR BROTHER BOB: I received yours of Thursday. The city has been a scene of confusion, but begins to be more settled. Many of the Jersey Militia are gone to the Kills and Bergen-Point. They are the best Militia, and with better arms and accoutrements, than any other Militia I have ever seen. There are some exchanges of cannon about the Narrows and Kills every day. Yesterday afternoon, either two or three tenders went up the Kills successively, and fired at our troops, who returned the fire so briskly that the tenders soon returned. The first tender soon returned to the fleet, when a second was sent. She was, or appeared to be, larger, but did not tarry long after the firing between them began.

I send you a parcel of papers to put in the chest, and a few letters for the President and Members.

Pray let me know whether the order for issuing commissions extended to Colonels Ritzema's and Clinton's regiments, or either. If so, please to send me a bundle or two of commissions. I had only forty-two left here. All the officers are vastly impatient, and some of them seem unwilling to think of coming to any action without commissions. I have ventured to issue the commissions for Captain Beauman's company, as he, though the youngest Captain in the Artillery corps, is assigned to the first place of danger. I hope the gentlemen will approve my conduct in this instance.

I find I am of some use here, which, together with my expectation, as well from publick report as your letter, of your change of plan, has prevented my joining you. If you are likely to tarry at the Plains, or if you do not send me some blank commissions, I shall attend you without delay.

My best compliments to the gentlemen of Congress, and Mr. Bancker.

It is said that Westchester men are much alarmed at the great consumption of their sunfish, and that a considerable share of that waste is charged to Mr. Alderman Brasher and a few other gentlemen.

I have got cartridges for your fusee, and will bring both whenever I can be certain where to join you.

I am, sincerely yours,

JOHN MCKESSON.

To Robert Benson, Esq.

P. S. The Mayor's Court stands adjourned to next Tuesday. The Mayor refuses to appoint a Deputy. Some of the Magistrates fear the loss of the City charter; and Mr. Alderman Bayard writes by this conveyance to the Recorder to come to town, and open and adjourn the Court.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS IN QUEEN'S COUNTY, NEW-YORK.

By orders of the Queen's County Committee, July 13, 1776, we, the subscribers, were appointed a sub-Committee to regulate the districts of Captain Peter Nostrant, on the south side of Hempstead, that four Companies had been thrown into one. Accordingly, we have made the district of the late Captain John Birdsall's Company for one Company, and accordingly notified the people on this day to meet and choose their military officers. There met a number of men, and made choice of Richard Jackson for their Captain, Zebulon Seaman for First-Lieutenant, John Lewis for Second-Lieutenant, and Smith Brush Ensign; to which we beg the favour of the honourable Provincial Congress to grant them their commissions.

Gentlemen, we are your very humble servants,

JOHN WILLIAMS,

JOHN BIBDSALL,

BENJAMIN BIRDSALL, Three of the County Committee.

JOHN COE TO THE COMMANDING OFFICER AT PAULUS-HOOK.

Haverstraw, July 13, 1776.

SIR: The regiment of this County is now, and has been, under arms all night, occasioned by the appearance of several ships-of-war of the Ministerial fleet, now lying in Tappan Bay. We have heard that another part of the same fleet attacked the city of New-York last evening; but what has been the event, or whether they have been able to pass the forts on the river, we are not able to learn. As we would endeavour to ease the County as much as is consistent with the publick service, at this busy season of the year, we have despatched the bearer, Mr. Resolvert Van Houter, express to you, and beg you would give him the necessary information relative to the action of yesterday, and your advice on the necessary steps to be taken by us to prevent the enemy from making inroads and depredations on the west side of Hudson's River.

We are, sir, your humble servants.

By order of the County Committee for Orange County:

JOHN COE, Dep. Chairman.

To the Commanding Officer of the Continental Forces at Paulus-Hook, or on the west side of Hudson's River.

NATHANIEL WOODHULL TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

In Convention of the Representatives of the State of

New-York, White-Plains, July 13, 1776.

SIR: On being informed yesterday afternoon that two ships-of-war had gone into the North River, and passed by all the fortifications on York-Island, the Convention immediately sent an express to the commanding officer of the fort at the Highlands, advising him thereof.

Last evening, advice arrived that two frigates and two or three tenders were at anchor at Tarrytown; whereupon, the Convention sent the inhabitants a supply of powder and ball, and took immediate measures for reinforcing the inhabitants along that shore. This morning, the Convention were informed that the frigates and tenders still lay there at anchor, and that several barges were busy in sounding the river. Another detachment of the Militia has been directed to guard the stores in that neighbourhood, in which are sundry effects belonging to the publick.

The Convention will endeavour to prevent their making incursions into the country; and beg leave to suggest to your Excellency the propriety of keeping a strong guard at King's Bridge, the destruction of which they apprehend to be an object with the enemy.

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

By order:

NATHANIEL WOODHULL, President.

To His Excellency General Washington, at Head-Quarters, New-York.

NEW-YORK CONVENTION TO COLONEL HAMMOND.

White-Plains, July 13, 1776.

SIR: We last evening ordered Colonel Thomas to send you a reinforcement of forty or fifty men, together with one hundred pounds of lead, and two quarter-casks of powder, all of which we hope you have received.

There is no great reason to apprehend that any considerable incursions into the country will be made by parties from the ships in the river; and we are therefore of opinion that it