it is incumbent on us to be prepared to defend ourselves against any number of troops that may be ordered against that place. For this purpose, the Congress have judged it necessary to augment the Flying-Camp. I have it therefore in command to direct, that, immediately on the receipt of this, you order two battalions of the Continental troops in the State of Virginia to march with all possible despatch to the Flying-Camp in New-Jersey, under the command of General Mercer

The state of our affairs, and the hourly expectation of the arrival of the foreign troops, render it absolutely necessary that the troops should be sent forward with the greatest expedition.

I am further to direct that you forward to South-Carolina the whole five tons of powder which were sent to you for the use of Virginia and South-Carolina.

Should the Governour and Council of Virginia have reason to apprehend an invasion of that State, and in consequence thereof call forth two battalions of Minute-Men or Militia, the Congress have agreed that they shall, while in service, be in Continental pay. I shall write by the present conveyance to the Governour and Council, to inform them of this resolution.

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

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Brigadier-General Lewis, Virginia.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO PENNSYLVANIA CONVENTION.

Philadelphia, July 22, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: As it is impossible to ascertain the strength of our enemies, or the force destined for the attack of New-York, it is incumbent on us to be prepared to defend ourselves against any number of troops that may be ordered against that place. For this purpose, the Congress have come to a resolution to increase the Flying-Camp. I have it therefore in command from Congress to request, that you will immediately augment your quota for the Flying-Camp with four battalions of Militia, in addition to those formerly desired by Congress, and send them with all possible despatch to the Flying-Camp.

You will please to exert yourselves, as the greatest despatch is indispensably required by the situation of our affairs.

I have the honour to be, with respect, gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Honourable Convention of Pennsylvania.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO CONVENTION OF NEW-JERSEY.

Philadelphia, July 22, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: The Congress, taking into consideration the strength of our enemies and the force destined for the attack of New-York, have come to a resolution to increase the Flying-Camp. For this purpose, I have it in charge to request that you will immediately augment your quota to the Flying-Camp with three battalions of Militia, in addition to those formerly desired by Congress, and send them, with all possible despatch, to join the Flying-Camp.

The battalions are to be officered, paid, and provided, agreeable to former resolutions of Congress for establishing said Camp.

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

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Honourable Convention of New-Jersey.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO COLONEL GRIFFIN.

Philadelphia, July 22, 1776.

SIR: The Congress, in consideration of your merit and uniform attachment to the liberties of the American States, have been pleased to appoint you Deputy Adjutant-General to the Flying-Camp, with the rank of Colonel.

I enclose your commission with the greatest pleasure, being fully persuaded your abilities and attention will enable you to discharge the duties of your department with reputation to yourself and advantage to your country.

As it is necessary this important department should be immediately filled, you will please to repair for that purpose to the Flying-Camp as soon as possible, and put yourself under the direction of the commanding officer in that quarter.

I am, sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Col. Griffin, Dep. Adj. Gen. to the Flying-Camp.

DR. FRANKLIN TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Philadelphia, July 22, 1776.

SIR: The bearer, Mr. Joseph Belton, some time since petitioned the Congress for encouragement to destroy the enemy's ships of war by some contrivances of his invention. They came to no resolution on his petition, and, as they appear to have no great opinion of such proposals, it is not easy, in the multiplicity of business before them, to get them to bestow any part of their attention on his request. He is now desirous of trying his hand on the ships that are gone up the North River; and as he proposes to work entirely at his own expense, and only desires your countenance and permission, I could not refuse his desire of a line of introduction to you, the trouble of which I beg you to excuse. As he appears to be a very ingenious man, I hope his project may be attended with success.

With the sincerest esteem and respect, I have the honour to be, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

JOSIAH BARTLETT TO JOHN LANGDON.

Philadelphia, July 22, 1776.

MY FRIEND: By yours of the 6th instant, I received your genteel but just reprimand for not answering your letters, and shall, in future, endeavour to give you the trouble of a line at least every week, without further excuse or ceremony.

By the enclosed paper, you will see the account of General Clinton's and Sir Peter Parker's defeat in South-Carolina. The Virginians have likewise driven Lord Dunmore from Gwin's Island, with loss. These are agreeable events, after our repeated crosses in Canada. Some of our southern brethren seem much elated with their success. By all accounts, the troops there behaved with incomparable bravery. I am sorry I can't say the same of our troops in Canada. Some of the southern gentlemen say America must be saved by the Southern, not the Northern troops. However, I hope it will yet appear that the Neiv-England troops are not behind any on the Continent in point of bravery.

The papers will inform you of the march of the Militia of this State to New-Jersey. Three regiments are ordered from Virginia to the Jerseys. I hope soon there will be an army there of fifteen or twenty thousand men, besides those at New-York. We must, at all events, prevent their getting possession of New-York and Hudson's River, which I believe is their principal view, and by that way, open a communication with Canada.

Lord Howe's Proclamation has now convinced everybody that no offers are to be made us but absolute submission. I think it very happy for America that Britain has insisted on those terms; for had she proposed a treaty, and offered some concessions, there would have been danger of divisions, or at least of our not acting with unanimity and spirit, as I think will now be the case.

The Convention here have taken on them the government of this Colony, and have appointed Delegates for Congress, men who will forward, and not hinder, spirited measures. In short, there is a far greater harmony in carrying on spirited measures in Congress than heretofore. The Conventions even of Maryland and New-York seem now to be in earnest.

The Confederation is now before a Committee of the Whole. By reason of so much other business, it goes on but slowly. When it is laid before our Legislature, brother Whipple expects to be at home, and can inform them of some things they may want to be informed of concerning it. Our Court, I hear, is to sit again the 1st of September.

With sincerity, I am your friend,

JOSIAH BARTLETT.

P. S. I have omitted enclosing this day's paper, as brother Whipple has sent one to you in his letter.