way to your Colony with powder, all the lead you can possibly procure at Fredericksburgh. The state of our affairs will not admit of the least delay, and I am convinced there is no necessity for arguments to induce you to an immediate compliance with this requisition.

I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

Colonel Fielding Lewis.

PRESIDENT OR CONGRESS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Congress Chamber, July 17, 1776.

SIR: I have only time to forward the foregoing resolves. By to-morrow's post I hope to write you on the subject of all your letters which remain unanswered.

I have the honour to be your very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To General Washington.

P. S. Your favour of the 14th just received.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO M. KIRMOVAN.

Philadelphia, July 16, 1776.

SIR: In consequence of the recommendation the Congress have received of you, I am to inform you they have this day been pleased to appoint you an Engineer in the Continental service, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and the pay of sixty dollars per month.

It is the order of Congress that you immediately repair to New-Jersey, and put yourself under the command of the officer commanding the Flying-Camp.

I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Monsieur Kirmovan, Philadelphia.

P. S. Enclosed I send your commission.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO MASSACHUSETTS ASSEMBLY,

Philadelphia, July 16, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Since I had the honour of addressing you on the 4th of June, at which time I transmitted sundry resolves of Congress requesting you to call forth your Militia, our affairs have assumed a much more serious complexion. If we turn our attention towards the Northern Department, we behold our Army reduced by sickness and obliged to flee before an enemy of vastly superior force. If we cast our eyes to Head-Quarters, we see the British Army reinforced under Lord Howe, and ready to strike a blow which may be attended with the most fatal consequences, if not timely resisted. The situation of our country at this season calls, therefore, for all the vigour and wisdom among us; and if we do not mean to desert her at this alarming crisis, it is high time to rouse every spark of virtue, and, forgetting all inferior considerations, to exert ourselves in a manner becoming freemen.

The intelligence received this day from General Washington points out the absolute, the indispensable necessity of sending forward all the troops that can possibly be collected, to strengthen both the Army in New-York and that on this side of Canada. I do therefore once more, in the name and by the authority of Congress, request and beseech you, as you regard the liberties of your country and the happiness of posterity, and as you stand engaged by the most solemn ties of honour to support the common cause, to strain every nerve to send forward your Militia, agreeably to the former requisitions of Congress. This is a step of such infinite moment, that, in all human probability, it will be the salvation of America. And as it is the only effectual step that can possibly be taken at this juncture, you will suffer me again most ardently to entreat your speedy compliance with it. In short, the critical period is arrived that will seal the fate not only of ourselves, but of posterity. Whether they shall arise the generous heirs of freedom, or the dastardly slaves of imperious task-masters, it is in your power now to determine; and, as freemen, I am sure you will not hesitate a moment about the choice.

I have the honour to be, gentlemen, &c,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

[The same to Massachusetts Assembly, Connecticut Assembly, and Convention of New-Jersey.]

In Congress, July 16, 1776.

Resolved, That Letters be written to the States of Massachusetts-Bay, Connecticut, and New-Jersey, setting forth the situation of our affairs in the New-York department, and pressing them immediately to comply with the requisition of Congress of the 3d June. That the situation of our Army at New-York be stated to the State of Connecticut, and that it be earnestly desired of that State immediately to send all the Militia thereof which can be spared into New-York, to reinforce the Army there, and continue in service until the proportions requested of the several States arrive.

Copy:

ROBERT H. HARRISON.

WILLIAM WHIPPLE TO JOHN LANGDON.

Philadelphia, July 16, 1776.

MY DEAR SIR: Your favour of the 1st instant came duly to hand. There can be no objection to your contracting for guns wherever they are to be had. I find by the backwardness of the furnaces here, that they must be got somewhere else. Governour Hopkins has written agreeable to what I wrote last post. However, I think it would not be amiss for you to contract, if they won't spare you those already made, which they will, if they consider the good of the service, as they may make more by the time their ships are ready for them. You may depend the officers will be appointed agreeable to your recommendation; their commissions not being sent, need be no hinderance to you in engaging petty officers and men. Provisions I wrote you about last post. I agree with you that these matters have not been properly attended to, but I by no means take any part of the charge of neglect to myself; for no poor devil ever begged for alms with more earnestness than I have to get these matters settled, and am still determined, if possible, to have everything complete before I leave this. Two of the ships were launched here last week, viz: the Randolph and Delaware; but when they will get to sea is uncertain, as they have no anchors yet.

Independence was proclaimed in the Army at New-York last Wednesday, when the leaden King in the Bowling-Green was dismounted, and is by this time cast into bullets for the destruction of his tools of tyranny. May every one of them be properly commissioned.

We are daily in expectation of some grand military operations at New-York. The Militia are all marching from this Colony. The Associators are mostly gone from this city—Colonels Dickinson, Cadwalader, &c., at the head of their regiments. No doubt in a very few days twenty thousand men, if not more, will be imbodied at New-Jersey, besides the Army at York. This Declaration has had a glorious effect—has made these Colonies all alive: all the Colonies forming Governments, as you will see by the papers. I expect there will be some interruption in the communication, but hope it won't last long.

In very great haste, yours,

WILLIAM WHIPPLE.

P. S. Please to send the enclosed paper to the North End. I have sent the play you mention to Mr. Brackett.

JOHN ALSOP TO NEW-YORK CONVENTION.

Philadelphia, July 16, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Yesterday our President read in Congress a resolve of your honourable body, dated the 9th instant, in which you declare New-York a free and independent State. I cannot help saying that I was much surprised to find it come through that channel. The usual method hitherto practised has been, for the Convention of each Colony to give their Delegates instructions to act and vote upon all and any important questions. And in the fast letter we were favoured with from your body, you told us that you were not competent or authorized to give us instructions on that grand question; nor have you been pleased to answer our letter of the 2d instant, any otherwise than by your said resolve, transmitted to the President. I think we were entitled to an answer.

I am compelled, therefore, to declare, that it is against my judgment and inclination. As long as a door was left open for a reconciliation with Great Britain, upon honourable and just terms, I was willing and ready to render my country all the service in my power, and for which purpose I was