hesitated not to furnish petards for the Continental Army, iron, stores, and every other material in my power, on the credit of the officers' notes, which money has since been paid me at Albany. I have been studious and attentive to the success of the cause, by giving every useful information in my power; which circumstance, I presume, some of this honourable House can testify to. I have accepted a commission of Colonel, for the District of Three Rivers, from General Arnold; by which act I have put the finishing character to what Mr. Carleton will call rebellion, which renders it impossible for me to appear in that country again with safety.

In consequence of an order from General Arnold, I prepared works for casting and supplying the Army with four thousand shells and twenty-two thousand cannon-balls, and, such other supplies as the Army might require of that kind; in doing which, I was at a very great expense; which works, on the retreat of the Army, I was obliged to abandon, together with all my property, and an estate in land which cost fifteen thousand pounds, being six miles long and twenty acres broad. In consequence of these misfortunes, I am likely to suffer great inconveniences; I therefore request that this honourable House will take the matter into their consideration, and enable me to support myself in some decent character under them, until such time as affairs will permit me to put myself in possession of my Canadian property; and, in the mean time, I beg that Congress will dispose of my service in any way in which I can be most useful.

I am, honourable sirs, with great respect, your most humble servant,

PELISSIER.

To the Honourable Continental Congress.

PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE.

In Committee of Inspection and Observation for the

County of Philadelphia, July 20, 1776.

Resolved, unanimously, That this Committee most earnestly exhort the Captains of the Militia of this County to use their, utmost abilities to complete their Companies, and march them, under the orders of their Commanding Officer, to Trenton; and that the Associators would, with becoming alertness, join their respective Companies, as they value the reputation of freemen, and wish to hold the foremost place in the esteem of their countrymen.

By order of the Committee:

JOHN BULL, Chairman.

ROBERT MORRIS TO COLONEL JOSEPH REED.

From the Hills on Schuylkill, July 20, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I received your obliging letter of the 13th, yesterday, in Congress, and should have been tempted to have laid the enclosure immediately before Congress, had not a letter from the same person, on the same subject, and in a similar style, addressed to Mr. Kinsey, of New-Jersey, been read in Congress the day before. The temper of the House was plain; and you may judge what it was, when I tell you that the only inquiry the letter produced was, how it got into Mr. Kinsey's hands. I am sorry to say there are some amongst us that cannot bear the thought of reconciliation on any terms. To these men, all propositions of the kind sound like high-treason against the State; and I really believe they would sooner punish a man for this crime than for bearing arms against us. I cannot help condemning this disposition, as it must be founded in keen resentment, or on interested yiews; whereas we ought to have the interest of our country and the good of mankind to act as the mainspring in all our publick conduct. I think with you, that if the Commissioners have any propositions to make, they ought to be heard; should they disclose powers different from what we imagine them to be vested with, and an inclination to employ those powers favourably for America, it is our duty to attend to such offers, weigh well the consequences of every determination we come to, and, in short, to lay aside all prejudices, resentments, and sanguine notions of our own strength, in order that reason may influence and wisdom guide our councils.

If the Admiral and General are really desirous of a conference, I think and hope they will address our General properly; this may be expected, if they have powers beyond granting pardons; if they have not, it is idle for them to solicit any intercourse, as no good can possibly arise to them or their cause from it; but, on our part, I think that good policy requires that we should hear all they have to say. I am not for making any sacrifice of dignity; but still I would hear them, if possible; because, if they can offer peace on admissible terms, I believe the great majority of America would still be for accepting it. If they can only offer pardons, and that is fully ascertained, it will firmly unite all America in their exertions to support the independence they have declared; and it must be obvious to everybody, that our united efforts will be absolutely necessary. This being the case, why should we fear to treat of peace, or to hear the Commissioners on that subject? If they can offer terms that are advantageous and honourable for this country, let us meet them; if they cannot, we are not in a situation or temper to ask or receive pardons; and all who do not mean to stoop to this ignominious submission will consequently take up their arms with a determination to conquer or to die. If they offer or desire a conference, and we reject it, those who are already dissatisfied will become more so, others will follow their example, and we may expect daily greater disunion and disaffection in every part of these States; at least such are my apprehensions on this subject.

I have uniformly voted against and opposed the Declaration of Independence, because, in my poor opinion, it was an improper time, and will neither promote the interest nor redound to the honour of America; for it has caused division when we wanted union, and will be ascribed to very different principles than those which ought to give rise to such an important measure. I did expect my conduct in this great question would have procured my dismission from the great Council, but find myself disappointed, for the Convention has thought proper to return me in the new delegation; and although my interest and inclination prompt me to decline the service, yet I cannot depart from one point which first induced me to enter the publick line: I mean an opinion, that it is the duty of every individual to act his part in whatever station his country may call him to in times of difficulty, danger, and distress. Whilst I think this a duty, I must submit, although the councils of America have taken a different course from my judgment and wishes. I think that the individual who declines the service of his country because its councils are not conformable to his ideas, makes but a bad subject; a good one will follow, if he cannot lead. Until the good news from Carolina raised our spirits, they were constantly depressed by every account we received from the Northern Army. Such scenes of mismanagement, misconduct, and ill success, as have been exhibited in that quarter, ever since the loss of the brave Montgomery, have no parallel.

I hope you are, or will be, properly strengthened and supported at New-York. For my own part, I don't like your situation there, but think you had better give up that city to the enemy than let them get behind and pen you in there, as they were cooped in Boston last year. However, I don't pretend to any judgment in this matter, nor to have considered the subject. My confidence in the abilities of General Washington is entire. His life is the most valuable in America; and whenever an engagement happens, I sincerely hope he will think how much depends on it, and guard it accordingly.

The publick papers will announce to you the new appointments and changes here; and as I have not much unemployed time. I am always ready to spare the use of my pen. This being Sunday morning, and in the country, I have spun out this letter to a length not common with me now-a-days. I beg my compliments to the General. I dined in company with Mrs. Washington yesterday, at Colonel Harrison's, and expect her here at dinner to-day. Remember me to General Mifflin, Colonels Shea and Moylan, and believe me to be, very sincerely, yours,

ROBERT MORRIS.

P. S. I will lay the London letter before Congress tomorrow.

SAMUEL TUCKER TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

In Convention of New Jersey, Trenton,

July 20, 1776.

SIR: Before the arrival of your packet this morning we had received the letter from Mr. Kinsey, of which the