Red-Hook, July 22, 1776.

SIR: As I mentioned to you before, Captain Read is soliciting for a discharge. The reason, he is informed by letters which he cannot discredit, that his wife is verging to the close of life by means of a chronick disorder, which appears too inveterate to yield to the efficacy of medicine. He cannot so far stifle the tender emotions of conjugal affection as to remain in absence. The distance is so great that he cannot wish to injure the service by requesting a furlough, leaving a weakness in the command of his country. From these circumstances I am induced to request you to represent his prayer to the Commander-in-Chief, whose exalted wisdom and humanity cannot fail of directing what is right in so disagreeable a situation.

I am, sir, your very humble servant,

J. VARNUM.

To General Greene.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER DATED HUNTINGTON, LONG-ISLAND, NEW-YORK, JULY 23, 1776.

Yesterday, the freedom and independency of the Thirteen United Colonies was, with beat of drum, proclaimed at the several places of parade, by reading the Declaration of the General Congress, together with the Resolutions of our Provincial Convention thereupon; which were approved and applauded by the animated shouts of the people, who were present from all the distant quarters of this district. After which, the flag which used to wave on Liberty Pole, having "Liberty" on one side, and "George III." on the other, underwent a reform;—i. e., the Union was cut off, and the letters George III. were discarded, being publickly ripped off; and then an effigy of the person represented by those letters, being hastily fabricated out of base materials, with its face black, like Dunmore's Virginia regiment, its head adorned with a wooden crown and stuck full of feathers, like Carleton's and Johnson's savages, and its body wrapped in the Union, instead of a blanket or robe of State, and lined with gunpowder, which the original seems to be fond of,—the whole, together with the letters above mentioned, were hung on a gallows, exploded, and burnt to ashes. In the evening, the Committee of this town, with a large number of the principal inhabitants, sat round the genial board, and drank thirteen patriotick toasts, among which were, The Free and Independent States of America; The General Congress; The Conventions of the Thirteen States.; Our principal military Commanders; and success and enlargement to the American Navy. Nor was the memory of our late brave heroes, who have gloriously lost their lives in the cause of liberty and their country, forgotten.

Southampton, Suffolk County, New-York, July 23, 1776.

Last Monday afternoon, was exhibited to view in this town a very agreeable prospect: the old gentlemen, grandfathers, to the age of seventy years and upwards, met, agreeably to appointment, and formed themselves into an Independent company. Each man was well equipped with a good musket, powder, ball, cartridges, &c., and unanimously made choice of Elias Pelletreau, Esq., for their leader (with other suitable officers,) who made a very animating speech to them, on the necessity of holding themselves in readiness to go into the field in time of invasion. They cheerfully agreed to it, and determined, at the risk of their lives, to defend the free and Independent States of America. May such a shining example stimulate every father on Long-Island in particular, and America in general, to follow their aged brethren here.

CAPTAIN DENTON TO GENERAL WOODHULL.

New-York, July 23, 1776.

SIR: Some weeks ago, the Second Lieutenant of my company secretly deserted it; but, previous to his leaving me, he assigned his warrant over to Cadwalader Moore, one of my Sergeants, a young man every way well qualified to act in the capacity of an officer, and who bears an unexceptionable character, and is of good family. Upon relating the circumstance of my being destitute of a Second Lieutenant to my company to some of the members of the late Committee of Safety, they told me they would mention the matter in Committee; and shortly afterwards I was informed by Mr. Cooper, (one of the members I had mentioned the affair to,) that the Committee had ordered that James Miller, my Ensign, should be Second Lieutenant, and Cadwalader Moore Ensign; and upon that, Moore went to some expense in purchasing regimentals, and has ever since appeared in the character of an officer. Lately, the commissions were issued for most of the officers of the regiment, but Mr. Miller's commission was detained from him, and no commission issued to Mr. Moore, which occasions some uneasiness in my company. I must therefore request the favour of you to lay the affair before the Convention; aid if any further light is required on it, Mr. Strong, the bearer, will be able to give it. I have the only full company in the regiment, which makes me take the greater, liberty of mentioning the affair to you.

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

DANIEL DENTON,

Captain in Third Regiment New-York Forces.

To Nathaniel Woodhull, Esq.

REPORT ON COMMISSIONS FOR CAPTAIN DENTON'S COMPANY.

Your Committee, appointed to take into consideration the letter received from Captain Daniel Denton, dated 23d instant, and from such information as they could collect, do report:

That a commission be made out for James Miller, as a Second Lieutenant, bearing date the 3d day of May last; and another for Cadwalader Moore, as Ensign, bearing date the same day, both in the company commanded by Captain. Denton, and in Colonel Ritzema's regiment.

COLONEL CORTLANDT AND CAPTAIN PLATT TO NEW-YORK CONVENTION.

Peekskill. July 23, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: There was yesterday a council of war held at Fort Montgomery, where it was agreed that three hundred men would be a sufficient guard on the east side of Hudson's River, from Anthony's Nose to Croton; but as all the troops belonging to this State are withdrawn, the whole draught has fallen on the New-England forces, who have agreed to stay until Saturday next, but we think it will be impracticable to prevail on them to stay any longer there. Beg the Convention would order such parts of the new levies as may be raised to be on the ground at that time, lo relieve them. Colonel Cortlandt's regiment has been called out, and I think there may be depended on about fifty or sixty of the new levies from the said regiment by Saturday. About three hundred of the New-England troops returned home this day; and by some pay-rolls delivered in, it appears that their subsistence money, for men and horses, will amount to near six hundred pounds. Therefore, in order to pay said subsistences, and discharge sundry other accounts, request the Convention to give an order on the Treasurer of this State for six hundred pounds, to be paid to the bearer, John Levinus.

No particular occurrences have happened. The ships remain a little below Verplanck's Point. Have made no attempts to land lately. One of their barges was seen night before last rowing down the river by Teller's Point. We have since ordered twenty men stationed at Albert Aarsen's, below Croton. The detachment from General Ten Broeck's brigade have also left Fort Constitution and the heights they were ordered to occupy above Anthony's Nose, it is supposed in order to raise their men.

Remain, gentlemen, your very humble servants,

PIERRE VAN CORTLANDT,

ZEPHA. PLATT.

To the Honourable the Representatives of the State of New-York.

P. S. This instant an officer arrived here by order of General Washington, in search of three French gentlemen, whom he found here. They are suspected of being spies from Canada.

GENERAL GEORGE CLINTON TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Fort Montgomery, July 23, 1776.

SIR: I am favoured with your Excellency's commands of the 17th instant, and am happy to find the measures taken here for the reception of the enemy's shipping approved. Yesterday some of the carpenters from Poughkeepsie arrived at this place with the fire-rafts. They are