which, from all circumstances, you are convinced you and your detachment are unequal, and with whom it would be rashness to contend, you are then to make as secure a retreat as possible to Tyonderoga.

Given at Tyonderoga, this twentieth day of July, 1776.

HORATIO GATES.

BARON DE WOEDTKE TO GENERAL GATES.

Fort George, July 20, 1776.

SIR: I have to inform you that I still remain in a very weak and low situation. I find the Canadians are gone on to Albany. I beg leave to advise the General to recall them to this place, with the person who has assumed to himself the title of Major, one Mr. Hare, who, when he arrives here, I pray may be put under an arrest, and deprived of that commission he has assumed to himself, which, I assure you, I never authorized him to take.

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

BARON DE WOEDTKE.

To Major-General Gates.

GOVERNOUR COOKE TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Newport, July 20, 1776.

SIR: I am favoured with your Excellency's letter of the 15th instant, which I have communicated to the General Assembly now sitting here. Agreeable to your request, the Captains of the row-galleys are ordered to proceed immediately to New-York, there to receive your orders, and to govern themselves accordingly.

I have the honour to be, with great respect, sir, your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant,

NICHOLAS COOKE.

To His Excellency George Washington, Esquire, General and Commander-in-Chief of the United States of America, New-York.

RHODE-ISLAND ASSEMBLY.

State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations,

In General Assembly, July Session, 1776.

Whereas the General Congress of the United States of America, by their Resolution of the 4th instant, after enumerating many of the various acts by which George the Third, King of Great Britain, hath demonstrated his intention to establish an absolute tyranny over the said States, have declared that "a Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people;" and have further declared, that the said States "are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown; and that all political connexion between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved:" which said Resolution hath been approved and solemnly published by order, and in presence of this General Assembly:

It is therefore Voted and Resolved, That if any person within this State shall, under pretence of preaching or praying, or in any other way and manner whatever, acknowledge or declare the said King to be our rightful Lord and Sovereign, or shall pray for the success of his arms, or that he may vanquish and overcome all his enemies, shall be deemed guilty of a high misdemeanour, and shall therefor be presented by the Grand Jury of the County where the offence shall be committed, to the Superior Court of the same County; and upon conviction thereof shall forfeit and pay, as a fine, to and for the use of this State, the sum of £100 lawful money, and pay all costs of prosecution, and shall stand committed to Jail until the same be satisfied. And that a copy of this Act be inserted in the Newport and Providence newspapers.

A true copy. Witness: HENRY WARD, Secretary.

Newport, July 22, 1776.

Last Saturday, the honourable the General Assembly of this State being then sitting at the State-House in this Town, at twelve o'clock, the Brigade stationed here, under the command of the Colonels William Richmond and Christopher Lippitt, Esquires, marched from Head-Quarters, and drew up in two columns on each side the parade, before the State-House door; his Honour the Governour and Members of Assembly then marched through and received the compliments of the Brigade; after which the Secretary read, at the head of the Brigade, a Resolve of the Assembly, concurring with the Congress in the Declaration of Independence; the Declaration itself was then read; next, thirteen cannon were discharged at Fort Liberty; the Brigade then drew up and fired in thirteen divisions, from east to west, agreeable to the number and situation of the United States. The Declaration was received with joy and applause by all ranks. The whole was conducted with great solemnity and decorum.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read July 29, 1776.]

Lebanon, July 20, 1776.

SIR: This Colony has been so unfortunate as to employ two brigs, one after another, both of which have proved bad sailers. The last of the two, being well recommended, was purchased by this State and fitted in the best manner; this, indeed, by divine favour, was successful in taking one ship and brig in Nantasket Roads, near Boston, and afterwards assisted in taking another ship in the bay, of which you have received information. Captain Harding, the gallant commander of her, complains that she is a dull sailer, and not fit for the service.

There is a sloop of one hundred and fifty tons, Bermudas-built, brought from New-Providence by Commodore Hopkins, which the Captain informs might do well to be turned into a brig. The clothing and military stores on board our brig Defence may be put on the sloop, and she fitted out in a very short time to proceed on a cruise against our enemies, Our request is, that this State may have the sloop at appraisal, or on such terms as the honourable Congress may judge reasonable, that so she may be fitted and employed accordingly.

Colonel Williams, who brings this, and comes lo take his seat in Congress, agreeable to the appointment of our General Assembly, will inform fully on the subject, which renders it unnecessary to add, only my hope for a favourable and a speedy answer.

22d.—Your letter of the 16th instant, with its enclosure, is received. Our General Assembly finished its sessions on the 7th June. On the 10th, the resolution of Congress of the 3d of June came to hand, and forthwith warrants were sent to convene the Assembly on the 14th of same June.

They complied with your requisition. The battalions of Militia were ordered to be raised, armed, and equipped for the service mentioned. Great diligence hath been used to promote the same; and lest they should fail arriving seasonably, three regiments of Lighthorse were ordered forthwith to New-York, to put themselves under the command of General Washington, till our Militia could be raised and come in; also to afford further aid if needed. I gave orders to the commanding officers of five regiments lying next towards New-York, to march forthwith on the requisition of the General to strengthen our Army. Our proceedings are well known to, and can be fully communicated by Colonel Williams, to whom take leave to refer you. The good people of our Government do not hesitate to do all in their power to be freemen while they live, and to leave their posterity the heirs of freedom and its blessings.

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

JONA. TRUMBULL.

To the Hon. President Hancock.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO NATHANIEL SHAW, JUN.

Lebanon, July 20, 1776.

SIR: I received yours of the 17th instant per Captain Harding. I am very sorry we have been so unfortunate in getting two brigs, one after another, that do not answer our designs. Am rejoiced to hear that there is a sloop that may probably be had that will answer our purpose. Colonel Williams sets out for Congress to take a seat therein. I shall send by him to obtain the sloop you mention. I think it highly probable shall have success to obtain the sloop on some reasonable terms. She may be soon altered and fitted for a cruise. In mean time think that the brig Defence be