his inclination to effect a reconciliation without force, far exceeded my expectation; and though the assurances of great men are frequently without meaning or intention, I have the strongest belief in what he said, and the greatest faith in his peaceful intentions.

Do, my dear friend, let me persuade you that Lord Howe goes to America as a mediator, and not as a destroyer. I firmly believe it, upon my honour. Were it prudent in me to reveal all he said, I would most cheerfully and readily do it. I quote not his Lordship's authority for what I say, but give you my opinion, on a well-grounded belief of what I advance. This he has declared: he had rather meet you, and that immediately on his arrival, in the wide field of argument, than in the chosen ground for battle; and I am confident a parley on the footing of gentlemen and friends is his wish and desire; and it is generally believed, with his disposition to treat, he has power to compromise and adjust. Nor do I think, if a conference should be brought about, anything unbecoming a gentleman will be desired, or unreasonable concessions expected. These things believed, I would not be happy in my own mind without communicating them to your, and Lord Howe has promised to take charge of the letter. I beg, therefore, to recommend them to your most serious consideration.

The very thought, my dear friend, of being instrumental in bringing about a peaceful accommodation is better felt than expressed, when I consider the honour lately conferred on me by the Province of New-Jersey. It is my duty, my regard for the country and people makes it my inclination, and my affection for you and your family draws me into it with the cords of love.

My Lord Howe is not unacquainted with your name. I have so high an opinion of your abilities and honour, and have had such repeated instances of your friendship and affection, that everything has been said by me that you can desire or expect; and I have not a doubt, if a treaty or parley is brought about in which you may be engaged, every degree of respect you can desire, or attention you can with, will be shown you. If this letter, from the exigency of the times, should be inspected, I hope it will not be suppressed, but receive an immediate despatch to you. Rest assured, my dear friend, my motives are good, whatever may be suspected to the contrary.

My dutiful regards attend my dear mother, and my affection and love are ever with you and my sister.

I am yours, sincerely and affectionately,

DENNIS DE BERDT.

GENERAL SPENCER TO JOHN SLOSS HOBART.

New-York, July 16, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Henry Little and John Lewis were both confined by my order in the City-Hall, and each of them charged with the crime of drinking a health to King George and success to his fleet, and declaring or manifesting their intention of joining the said fleet or army of the enemy against the Continental Army; which charge was delivered to the officer of the guard it that place.

On the morning of the 14th instant I received a line from you, desiring me to direct my evidences in the case of Lewis to attend upon you at nine o'clock in the morning, at the same morning. This did not come to my hand until something after the time you set for the attendance of the evidences. On receiving your notice, I immediately sent to Lieutenant Dunham, of Colonel Ward's regiment, (who was my informer relative to said prisoner,) to appear as soon as possible before you, to give what intelligence in the premises he was able to do. He since says he appeared before you as soon as he could, he thinks about ten o'clock in the same day, and that you then informed him the above-mentioned prisoners were both released the day before. This intelligence of Dunham appeared to me so extraordinary, I thought it my duty to acquaint you with it, that you may have an opportunity to show the mistake, if there be any.

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

JOSEPH SPENCER.

To John Sloss Hobart, Esq., and the rest of the Committee of Provincial Congress, in New-York.

PASS FOR MEMBERS OF THE NEW-YORK CONVENTION.

New-York, July 16, 1776.

Permit the following gentlemen: John Sloss Hobart, Leonard Gansevoort, Lewis Graham, Esq., and Colonel Henry Remsen, Members of the Convention of the State of New-York, and John McKesson, Esq., Secretary of the said Convention, to pass from New-York to the said Convention at the White-Plains, with a box of stamps and plates of the late emission of the paper currency of this State, and some few records, and the fusees, &c., of such of those gentlemen who may choose to carry them.

JOHN RAY, Jun.,

Deputy Chairman of the General Committee.

To all whom it may concern.

NEW-YORK COMMITTEE.

Committee Chamber, New-York, July 16, 1776.

To the Inhabitants of the City and Colony of NEW-YORK:

Whereas the Convention of the State of New-York did, on the 9th instant, unanimously resolve, that a Declaration of the Independence of the United States of America should be transmitted to the several Committees in the said State of New-York, with orders that it should be by them published with all convenient speed in their several districts: Therefore,

Resolved and Ordered, That at twelve o'clock, on Thursday, at the City-Hall, in this city, the aforesaid Declaration be published; when and where it is hoped every true friend to the rights and liberties of this country will not fail to attend.

Extract from the Minutes:

JOSEPH WINTER, Secretary.

JOHN BROOME TO NEW-YORK CONVENTION.

White-Plains, July 16, 1776.

Sloop Independence, seventy tons burden, ten carriageguns, four-pounders: owners, Philip Bell, of Philadelphia, Isaac Sears, Samuel Broome, & Co., and John Broome, of New-York, and Adam Babcock, of New-Haven; Thomas Truxton, Commander; Smith Richards, Captain of Marines; number of the crew, sixty; quantity of provisions, fifteen barrels of pork, thirty barrels of beef, five hundred weight of powder, with a proportion of ball, thirty muskets, twenty-pistols, cartridges in proportion.

I do hereby request that a commission be made out for the above privateer sloop.

JOHN BROOME.

CERTIFICATE FOR A POWDER-MILL.

Walkill, Ulster County, July 16, 1776.

These are to certify, that Major Moses Phillips and Henry Wisner, Jun., Esq., has erected a Powder-Mill upon the Walkill, in said County, which we look upon to be very well executed, and did, with a large number of other spectators, see it work on the twentieth day of last May; since which time, by information of the workmen, (whom we look upon to be men of veracity,) it has manufactured two hundred weight or more of good merchantable gunpowder in one day, and so successively.

DAVID CORWIN,	Members of the County Committee.
JONATHAN SMITH,
WILLIAM DERM,
JAMES BUTLER,	one of the Builders.

JOHN COE TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Haverstraw, July 16, 1776.

SIR: In consequence of your Excellency's desire to receive timely information of every manoeuvre which the enemy on Hudson's River may make to distress the inhabitants, at this extremely busy season, we can inform your Excellency that this morning, between the hours of ten and eleven, the whole fleet, consisting of two men-of-war and three tenders, made sail from Nyack, and about twelve came into Haverstraw Bay, forty miles up the river from New-York, where, after the shipping came to anchor, the tenders continued parading the bay for half an hour. They all came to anchor opposite to the house of Captain Thiers, when four barges, fully manned, attempted to land, with a view,