Howe and General H. did not mean to derogate from the respect or rank of General W.; that they held his person and character in the highest esteem; that the direction with the addition of fee, &c., &c., &c., implied everything that ought to follow. He then produced a letter, which he did not directly offer to General W., but observed that it was the same letter which had been sent, and laid it on the table with a superscription To George Washington, &c., &c., &c. The General declined the letter, and said that a letter directed to a person in a publick character should have some description or indication of it, otherwise it would appear a mere private letter; that it was true the &c., &c., &c., implied everything, and they also implied anything; that the letter to General Howe alluded to was an answer to one received under a like address from him, which the officer on duty having taken, he did not think proper to return, but answered it in the same mode of address; that he should absolutely decline any letter directed to him as a private person when it related to his publick station. Colonel P. then said, that General Howe would not urge his delicacy farther, and repeated his assertions that no failure of respect was intended.

He then said that he would endeavour, as well as he could, to recollect General Howe's sentiments on the letter and resolves of Congress, sent him a few days before, respecting the treatment of our prisoners in Canada: "That the affairs of Canada were in another department not subject to the control of General Howe; but that he and Lord Howe utterly disapproved of every infringement of the rights of humanity." Colonel P. then took a paper out of his pocket, and after looking it over, said he had expressed nearly the words. General W. then said that he had also forwarded a copy of the resolves to General Burgoyne. To which Colonel P. replied, he did not doubt a proper attention would be paid to them; and that he (General W.) was sensible that cruelty was not the characteristick of the British nation.

Colonel P. then proceeded to say he had it in charge to mention the case of General Prescott, who, they were informed, was treated with such rigour, that, under his age and infirmities, fatal consequences might be apprehended. General Washington replied, that General Prescott's treatment had not fallen under his notice; that all prisoners under his particular direction he had treated with kindness, and made their situation as easy and comfortable as possible; that he did not know where General Prescott was, but believed his treatment very different from their information. General W. then mentioned the case of Colonel Allen and the officers who had been confined in Boston Jail. As to the first, Colonel P. answered that General Howe had no knowledge of it but by information from General Washington, and that the Canada department was not under his direction or control. That as to the other prisoners at Boston, whenever the slate of the Army at Boston admitted it, they were treated with humanity and even indulgence; that he asserted this upon his honour, and should be happy in an opportunity to prove it.

General Washington then observed, that the conduct of several of the officers would well have warranted a different treatment from what they had received, some having refused to give any parole, and others having broken it when given, by escaping, or endeavouring to do so. Colonel P. answered, that as to the first, they misunderstood the matter very much, and seemed to have mistaken the line of propriety exceedingly; and as to the latter, General Howe utterly disapproved and condemned their conduct; that if a remonstrance was made, such violations of good faith would be severely punished, but that he hoped General W. was too just to draw publick inferences from the misbehaviour of some private individuals; that bad men were to be found in every class of society; that such behaviour was considered as a dishonour to the British Army.

Colonel Patterson then proceeded to say, that the goodness and benevolence of the King had induced him to appoint Lord Howe arid General Howe his Commissioners to accommodate this unhappy dispute; that they had great powers, and would derive the greatest pleasure from effecting an accommodation; and that he (Colonel P.) wished to have this visit considered as making the first advances to this desirable object. General W. replied, he was not vested with any powers on the subject by those from whom he derived his authority and power; but, from what had appeared or transpired on this head, Lord Howe and General Howe were only to grant pardons; that those who had committed nofault wanted no pardon; that we were only defending what we deemed our indisputable rights. Colonel P. said, that that would open a very wide field for argument. He then expressed his apprehensions that an adherence to forms was likely to obstruct business of the greatest moment and concern. He then observed that a proposal had been formerly made of exchanging Governour Skene for Mr. Lovell; that he now had authority to accede to that proposal. General W. replied, that the proposition had been made by the direction of Congress, and having been then rejected, he could not now renew the business, or give any answer, till he had previously communicated it to them.

Colonel Patterson behaved with the greatest politeness and attention during the whole business, and expressed strong acknowledgments that the usual ceremony of blinding his eyes had been dispensed with. At the breaking up of the conference, General Washington strongly invited him to partake of a small collation provided for him, which he politely declined, alleging his late breakfast and an impatience to return to General Howe, though he had not executed his commission so amply as he wished. Finding he did not propose staying, he was introduced to the General Officers, after which he took his leave, and was safely conducted to his own boat, which waited for him about four miles distant from the city.

New-York, July 9, 1776.

From a view of the present important contest with Great Britain, it appears that the war is but in its infancy. To carry it on with vigour and success, a well-regulated and numerous body of Artillery will be necessary. The present number of officers and men of the regiment of Artillery here, are not sufficient for the posts in and round about this city. To supply this deficiency, a number of men from the different regiments have been draughted into Artillery pro tempore. This is a present remedy; but if the service should require a few companies of Artillery to be sent on command, it could not be complied with unless many posts were left entirely naked. For a variety of extensive service, more officers and men of this profession will be wanting. If it should be thought proper to raise another battalion of Artillery upon the same plan as the present, it could be very easily effected, by taking the men lately draughted into the different companies and forming separate companies; or by taking some officers and men of experience out of the different companies, and incorporating them with the new, they would soon be fit for action.

The number of men draughted into the different companies would form eight companies of sixty men; Captain Bauman's, lately raised, would make nine; three companies more would make up a battalion of twelve companies. Upon this plan the Continent would have eleven companies and sixty officers more than they now have, applying themselves to the particular art of gunnery, and ready for any emergency.

HENRY KNOX,

Colonel Regiment of Artillery.

To His Excellency General Washington.

GENERAL ORDERS.

Head-Quarters, New-York, July 13, 1776.

The Guard at Fort-George to be reinforced with a Field-Officer, two Captains, four Subalterns, six Sergeants, six Corporals, and seventy Privates.

The General was sorry to observe yesterday that many of the officers and a number of men, instead of attending to their duty at the beat of the drum, continued along the banks of the North-River, gazing at the ships. Such unsoldierly conduct must grieve every good officer, and give the enemy a mean opinion of the Army, as nothing shows the brave and good soldier more than, in case of alarms, coolly and calmly repairing to his post, and there waiting his orders; whereas a weak curiosity at such a time makes a man look mean and contemptible.

A well-dressed Orderly-Sergeant, from Generals Scott's, Wadsworth's, and Heard's Brigades, to attend at Head-Quarters every day.

The Majors of the new Brigades, and all other officers of those corps, are directed to look over the Orderly books before they come into camp, and acquaint themselves well