this evening. A party of four men was in readiness on Saturday evening to have proceeded on the east side of the Lake from opposite Point-au-Fer by land to St. John's; but upon learning from the Frenchman that intelligence was gone down of our being at Isle-au-Motte, it was thought most prudent not to send them. We have neither a bark canoe nor a good pilot.

I am, dear, sir, your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant,

JAMES A. WILSON, Captain.

To His Excellency Brigadier-General Arnold.

COLONEL SEYMOUR TO GOVEBNOUR TRUMBULL.

Hartford, July 22, 1776.

HONOURED SIR: As the troops of Lighthorse returned yesterday from New-York, I thought it my duty to give your Honour the earliest account of our conduct and proceedings, with every attending circumstance. I before mentioned the immediate forwarding of your Honour's orders to the Majors of the several regiments named therein, as soon as they came to my hand. The companies made so great despatch in their march, that most of them came on (though well-spirited) without the precaution of a blanket, or even a change of clothing. They had conceived the idea, from the suddenness and urgency of the orders, that they were immediately to be called to action, and soon to return, which made them too incautious. I must, however, in justice, say, that a better body of substantial yeomen never appeared on such an occasion. They were admired and applauded for their spirit and zeal.

We no sooner arrived at King's Bridge, on Monday morning, than the General's letter met us, copy of which I now enclose. This at once seemed to check and mortify. We had no idea of sending back our horses, especially as the men had left their farms and crops in the most critical situation, and must return as soon as possible. I ordered them, however, to halt at the bridge, and, with Majors Starr and Sheldon, waited upon General Washington. He soon told us that forage could not be had upon the Island, (the drought being extreme that way,) and that he would by no means be justified to pay for it, if it could be found. This again flung us into some perplexity, for we thought at least if there was so great need of the men, from the danger of a sudden attack, as the General often expressed it, that the Continent ought to undergo the burden of detaining us. There was, however, no reasoning upon the subject. We then proposed finding pastures for our horses, at and this side of the bridge, and depend upon the Colony, and so tarry a short time, rather than be turned directly back, which might throw a discouragement upon the honest intentions and wishes of men forward to serve their country on any emergency. To this the General graciously consented; and after much difficulty to obtain pastures for a small space, we marched into the city, through dust and sweat. Our numbers were soon trebled, and the sound of it rung through the enemy's camp. The same day our horses were sent out, and the men were put into houses, with nothing but the clothes on their backs, for lodging. As soon as a return of our men could be made, a number were ordered upon guard. This was something unexpected, but cheerfully submitted to. Soon after, a further order came for mounting guard, and for eight of our men to go to King's Bridge upon fatigue, there to remain one week. The first of these requisitions was complied with, but the last declined, as unreasonable for men under our circumstances. Colonel Silliman, as well as others, advised against submitting to fatigue; that it was counter to the laws of the Colony, and what your Honour had no idea of subjecting us to. Major Hart, with me of course, (by direction of General Wadsworth,) waited upon General Washington, and stated the case, mentioned the exemptions of our law, Sic, at same time suggested that the men would freely furnish guards of every kind, and man the lines, as they had done, if they might only be excused from working parties, for which they were in no measure prepared. We were answered, that no distinction could be made between our men and the rest, and if they would not submit to these terms, they might be dismissed. This reply, after we had come so far, left everything at home in the most suffering condition, had made such despatch, and placed out our horses at so much risk and expense, and had done every other duty in the time of the alarm, and also at other times (except that of the pick-axe, the shovel, and the wheelbarrow,) was indeed very humiliating. We could not account for such treatment, unless it was from the quarter of such who always viewed the existence of a body of Lighthorse with a jaundiced eye. It was the opinion of several General Officers that we ought to be excused; that it might be done consistently, and that we deserved thanks and applause instead of the reverse. And, in short, if so large and respectable a body of men, scattered through the Colony, are to be blamed, under particular circumstances, for not complying with every formal round of duty in camp, from which they knew themselves excused, it must rather create disaffection than otherwise. We are, however, willing, if we have done amiss, to stand amenable at your Honour's bar.

We left the city on Thursday noon last, when the most, if not all of our unlisted levies had arrived. About seven thousand of the Flying-Camp had also reached the Jersey shore. These at least must treble our number to that of the enemy. Lord Howe also arrived the Friday before, without fleet or army (save a ship or two.) Under these circumstances, no prospect of any sudden attack, our horses not to be kept any longer, the pressing circumstances of our affairs at home, and the general opinion that we could not be needed soon, (even General Putnam said we were not wanted,) together with the sudden and unexpected reply from the General, all induced us to return.

I have troubled your Honour too long with a relation of facts, but thought it necessary, that no mistake might arise from differing accounts. I ought to mention one circumstance further: that is, that just before I left New-York, after the men were all gone, Generals Spencer and Heath called upon me, and said there was a misunderstanding in the matter, and that they had just come from the General, and he meant to excuse us from fatigue. The matter was now over, the men gone and irrecoverable. And besides, the General had othewise expressed it the evening before, when Major Hart, with me, waited upon him for the purpose.

I can't help remarking to your Honour, that it may be with truth said, General Washington is a gentleman of extreme care and caution; that his requisitions for men are fully equal to the necessity of the case; and that if more attention was had to the Northern Department it would be as well.

It is much to be lamented that our numbers of volunteers are so slow and deficient. Am persuaded that detachments must, after all, take place, as our only remedy.

I should have stopped here, but am this moment informed by Captain Hooker that Mr. Webb, General Washington's Aid-de-Camp, has written your Honour something dishonourable to the Lighthorse. Whatever it may be I know not, but this I do know, that it is a general observation, both in camp and country, if the butterflies and the coxcombs were away from the Army, we should not be put to so much difficulty in obtaining men of common sense to engage in the defence of their country.

Your Honour will excuse my freedom and prolixity in this, as it proceeds from no other motive than a sacred regard for the community of which I have the favour to be a member.

I am, with every sentiment of esteem and regard, your Honour's most obedient humble servant,

THOMAS SEYMOUR.

GENERAL WARD TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Boston, July 22, 1776.

SIR: The company of Artificers in the Continental service here, under the care of Captain Eayrs, your Excellency did not mention in your directions respecting the troops, and I must request your directions respecting said company. It is a very good company, and if such a company be wanted in the Continental service, I believe a better cannot be had.

Sargent's and Hutchinson's regiments marched the 18th. instant for Norwich; Glover's marched the 20th. The two remaining regiments are recovering fast of the small-pox, and as soon as they can march with safety I shall order them forward. I shall use every precaution to prevent the marching regiments from communicating the small-pox, and for this purpose will endeavour that they shall be thoroughly cleansed, being sensible of the destructive consequences that would result from spreading this disorder in our armies, which are every hour liable to be called to action.