GOVERNOUR OF RHODE-ISLAND TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Providence, July 23, 1776.

SIR: On Sunday last, in the afternoon, Lieutenant Calcott, of the Merlin, came into Newport with a flag, and delivered me a letter from Lord Howe, with his declaration. I do myself the honour to enclose copies of them and of my letters to him. Mr. Calcott also left with me three letters from Lord Howe, I suppose of the same tenour with that to me, directed to the Commander-in-Chief of Massachusetts-Bay, Connecticut, and New-Hampshire, to be forwarded.

The General Assembly have passed an act for the punishment of traitors, and have also appointed a Committee to procure clothing for the Continental troops in this State. I enclose a copy of the act approving the resolution of Congress declaring the United States independent of the British Crown. The Declaration was published on Saturday last, at Newport, with great solemnity, in presence of the whole General Assembly, the brigade being under arms, thirteen cannon fired, &c. It will be published here on Thursday, and in the several towns in the Colony at their next stated meetings.

I am, with great truth and esteem, sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

NICHS. COOKE.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

P. S. The carpenters are all inlisted. Their baggage proceeds to-day, and they follow to-morrow.

East-Greenwich, Rhode-Island, July 26, 1776.

On Tuesday last, the Kentish Guards, commanded by Colonel Richard Fry, appeared in their uniforms. About twelve o'clock they drew up on the parade before the State-House, when the Declaration of the General Congress, declaring these Colonies free and Independent States, was read; likewise a Resolve of the Assembly, concurring with the same, which was announced by a discharge of thirteen cannon at Fort Daniel. Next, the Guards fired thirteen vollies. This was followed by three huzzas from a numerous body of inhabitants. They then repaired to Arnold's Hall, where, after partaking of a very decent collation, the following patriotick toasts were drunk:

1. The Thirteen United States of America.

2. The General Congress of the American States.

3. General Washington.

4. The American Army.

5. Augmentation of the American Navy.

6. In memory of those immortal Heroes who have fallen in the American cause.

7. May a happy rule of Government be established in the State of Rhode-Island.

8. American Manufactures.

9. Free trade with all the world.

10. May true patriotism warm the breast of every American.

11. May the Independency of the American States be firmly established, and a speedy peace take place.

12. May Liberty expand her sacred wings, and, in glorious effort, diffuse her influence o'er and o'er the globe.

CONNECTICUT COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

At a meeting of the Governour and Council of Safety, July 23, 1776:

Present, His Honour the Governour, Eliphalet Dyer, Jz. Huntington, Benj. Huntington, Jed. Elderkin, and Nathaniel Wales, Esquires.

Mr. Daniel Dee is appointed Second Lieutenant of the Company of Matrasses, under command of Captain Nathaniel Saltonstall, at New-London, in the service of this Colony.

Voted, That this Council do approve of an order drawn by his Honour the Governour, dated the 22d, on the Pay Table, for £200, in favour of Ephraim Bell. To render his account.

Voted, That this Council do approve of an order drawn by his Honour the Governour on Colonel William Pitkin, to sell to Mr. James Phelps, of Spencer town, of the Colony of Massachusetts, fifty pounds of the Gunpowder in said Colonel Pitkin's hands, belonging to this Colony, at the price of 5s. 4d. per pound.

Voted, To draw an order on the Pay Table for £200 in favour of Josiah Elderkin, to enable him to purchase Tents and Clothing for the Continental Army; to be paid out of the money lodged by Mr. Sherman in the Treasury, if lodged there for that purpose; otherwise, to be paid out of the proper Treasury of this Colony; and to render his account. Order given 23d July, 1776, and delivered Colonel Elderkin.

RICHARD DERBY, JUN., TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read July 29, 1776.]

Council Chamber, Watertown, July 23, 1776.

SIR: Your favour of the 16th instant is now before us, and in answer thereto we have little to say in addition to what this Board wrote you in their letter of the 19th instant. Marching orders were issued some time ago to the commanding officers of the regiments ordered to be raised for Canada and New-York, and we have now the pleasure to inform you that many of the men have already marched for their several destinations, and we expect the whole will be gone in a few days.

The fifteen hundred men last ordered for the Northern Department are now raising with all possible expedition, and the necessary preparations are already made for their marching, so that we hope that Army will soon receive such reinforcements as will enable them to prevent the enemy from making any further advances upon us in that quarter. And we again assure you, that we will still continue to exert ourselves zealously for the publick good, hoping shortly to hear matters have taken another turn, and that our publick affairs will soon wear a more favourable aspect.

In the name, and by order of the Council, I have the honour to be your most obedient servant,

RICHARD DERBY, Jun., President.

To the Hon. John Hancock, Esq.

REUBEN SWAIN TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Nantucket, 7 mo., 23d, 1776.

RESPECTED FRIEND: I have desired the bearer, Micajah Coffin, to wait on thee to request thy permission for liberty to make a request to Lord Howe for the liberation of a son of mine and two sons-in-law, that were taken about five weeks ago on their return from a long and tedious whale-voyage on the coast of Brazil. One of my sons-in-law and my son were in the brig Speedwell Pembroke, Obed Bunker master, and now supposed detained on board the Greyhound, ship-of-war, Captain Dixon. The consideration and anxious concern that must attend parents and near relations, who have their children and near connexions placed in such disagreeable situations, I hope will induce thee to suffer some mode of application for their relief; which shall be accepted with gratitude, as a favour done to thy respectful and assured friend,

REUBEN SWAIN.

To George Washington, Esq., General and Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in America.

BENJAMIN BARNARD TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Nantucket, 7 mo., 22, 1776.

RESPECTED FRIEND: I have desired the bearer, Micajah Coffin, to wait on thee to request thy permission for liberty to make a request to Lord Howe for the liberation of a son and brother of mine, who were taken on board the brigantine Mercury, (on their return from a long and tedious whale-voyage on the coast of Brazil,) George Bunker master, about four weeks ago, and are detained on board the Cerberus frigate, Captain Symons. The consideration of the anxious concern that must attend parents arid near relations who have their children and near connexions placed in such disagreeable situations, I hope will induce thee to suffer some mode of application for their relief; which shall be accepted with gratitude, as a favour done to thy respectful and assured friend,

BENJAMIN BARNARD.

To George Washington, Esq., General and Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in America.