picked men on Friday morning for Pearis's house, where, I am informed, a party of the enemy have been skulking about these some days past. I expect hourly to hear from him, and some agreeable news. He has my orders, if he can conveniently join Colonels Thomas and Neel, to act in concert with them, and proceed directly into the nation by Estatoe, while I penetrate by way of Seneca and the Sugar town. Thomas has acted in every respect agreeable to his declaration when at his house. I have written and sent him express upon express to no purpose; it is really disagreeable to have any connexion with such men; he has not written me a line since the Indians first commenced hostilities. Lieutenant-Colonel Polk, of Neel's regiment, with three hundred men well armed, has joined Thomas; and I am told by Captain Purves, who I sent on purpose to see his strength, and marked out a plan to act in conjunction with them, that Polk is eager to join me; it is agreeable to his sentiments communicated by letter to me lately. Judge, then, what feelings such a man must be possessed of, who, in the place of hastening to save and revenge his country, can content himself with doing nothing.

Robert Cunningham and Pearis came to my camp; the former, on his arrival, declared himself our fast friend, and that he came to stand and fall with us. I was sorry I could not show him the countenance I could have wished, owing to the people being so much exasperated at the behaviour of Hugh Brown and others, who have lately joined the Indians against us, thirteen of whom were taken prisoners a few days ago, and sent to Ninety-six Jail, four of whom were painted as Indians. I have no doubt of Cunningham proving true to his declaration; but, at present, it would be improper to confer any publick trust on him. Mr. Salvador has been with me since my first taking the field. I showed him your postscript; he thinks of making the campaign to the nation. I understood last night the Indians struck at North-Carolina and Virginia the very day they commenced hostilities against our frontiers. If these two Colonies join heartily with us, I hope soon to have the pleasure of congratulating you of a happy issue being put to this expedition, and reduce the savages to such a state as to wish they had never broken their faith with us.

I am, with much regard, dear sir, your most humble servant,

A. WILLIAMSON.

To the Hon. William Henry Drayton, Cliarlestown.

GENERAL H. CLINTON TO GENERAL LEE.

Off Charlestown Bar, July 22, 1776.

SIR: On my return to the fleet I found a letter from you by a flag of truce, with some refreshments you were pleased to send me; in return for which I must beg your acceptance of a cask of porter and some English cheese.

I have made inquiries concerning the person mentioned in your letter, who, it seems, has occasioned this correspondence between us, but can learn nothing further about him, than that he is not a master of a vessel, as he has represented himself to you. And you will have been already informed by Mr. Byrd, that Ethan Allen, and those that were with him, are gone to the northward.

I am, sir, your most humble servant,

H. CLINTON.

To Charles Lee, Esq., Major-General in the service of his Polish Majesty.

PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE.

At a Committee held for the County of Pittsylvania, at the Court-House, the 22d day of July, 1776:

Present, the Chairman, and a majority of the Members.

This Committee being informed that George Herndon, George Murdoch, John Mack, Samuel Callan, Zachariah Smeed, William Mitchell, and Archibald Smith, are suspected to be enemies to the rights and liberties of America, they having appeared before this Committee agreeable to citation, refused to take the oath prescribed by the General Convention: Whereupon, it is

Ordered, That the Clerk do transmit a copy of these proceedings to Mr. Alexander Purdie, that the same may be inserted in his Gazette.

Extract from the Minutes:

WILLIAM TODD, Clerk.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER RECEIVED IN PHILADELPHIA, DATED JULY 22, 1776.

On Sunday last I was informed that Lord Dunmore was landing his troops on Thacker Washington's plantation, a little below Hooe's Ferry. About twelve o'clock the same night, the Major of the County came express to let me know that the fleet was then at Marlborough, a few miles above Boyd's Hole. The alarm was soon spread, and in a very little time the shores were covered with men. I went over early yesterday, and discovered four ships and three tenders. They appeared, as near as I can guess, to be somewhere about Dumfries. The remainder we supposed to be below, either coming up or attempting to land. Some few of us then pushed down the river, but found the Militia dispersing just before we got to Boyd's Hole. They had received information that the balance of the fleet was at anchor near the mouth of the river. This morning early, we returned up Potomack River, and saw only three ships and two tenders; and hearing very distinctly at the same time a heavy cannonade at or near Alexandria, we concluded the other ship and tender had made the town a visit, where they will certainly meet with a warm reception. As yet we have no account. I shall proceed to-morrow morning up (he river Potomack, and continue there till the fleet goes down.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM DUMFRIES, VIRGINIA.

On Monday, July 22, the Roebuck, Mercury, Otter, and an armed ship, came up Potomack, and anchored about two miles below Dumfries, where the river is yet quite fresh. On Tuesday, about twelve o'clock, they sent off two tenders, a gondola covered, and eight boats, mostly large, and full of men, consisting of the remains of the Fourteenth Regiment, Marines, &c. They landed at William Brent's Esq.; where about sixty of the Stafford Militia were posted, without any cover. The gondola, drawing but sixteen inches water, run in close to the shore, and, with a nine-pounder and grape-shot, obliged the Militia to retreat, when about one hundred and fifty men landed and burnt the house, outhouses, hay-stacks, &.c, and intended to have burnt Mr. Brent's fine merchant mill, and several other houses along shore; but on the Roebuck's observing that the Prince William Militia were on their march to Mr. Brent's, she hoisted a white flag, and their men immediately retreated, so that no further damage was done. The' fleet having taken in fresh water, fell down the river the next day. I followed them to the Narrows, about thirty miles below this, and found they had done no other mischief. As I returned on Friday, I was informed that three white men and four negroes were found dead oil the shore, two of the whites sewed up in hammocks and shot through the breast; they had fine Holland shirts, and are supposed to be of some distinction; and a gold-laced hat was found, with a bullet-hole through both sides of the crown. As the Riflemen had some fair shot at them, it is not doubted but several are killed. No damage was done on the side of the Militia.

GEN. THOMAS JOHNSON TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Fredericktown, July 22, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: In conversation with Mr. Ringgold, as he had thought, he told me that General Dent was collecting the Militia below to attack Lord Dunmore. I am apprehensive they will want arms for the purpose, and that a good many of the men, notwithstanding their desire to go on the service, very reluctantly leave their own neighbourhoods, unhappily full of negroes, who might, it is likely on any misfortune to our Militia, become very dangerous. I have spoken with several here, and it seems to be a general sentiment that we ought to assist; and I believe, though our exertions are already as great as we can well make, that for a short expedition on this very interesting occasion, we might now collect a battalion, and borrow the arms which would be wanting. If you, who are acquainted with all circumstances, think it necessary to have men from hence, I shall most gladly execute any orders you may think proper to give for that purpose.

Mr. Ringgold gave me your letter for my brother. The furnace is not now in blast. I went out to him as soon as I got the letter. We have now by us a few pots of about the size you describe, a few kettles, and a few Dutch ovens,