harvest will be secured, when General Livingston will have it in his power to call in a considerable body of Militia to take post along the Jersey shore. And these troops may be employed on such other service as you judge proper.

Proper persons are employed to examine and secure all the craft, of which I shall transmit a return as soon as possible.

The returns of the troops are not so accurate as I could wish; the number of rank and file may, however, be supposed tolerably exact, making some allowance for the sick, of which I have been able to procure distinct lists. Of the troops who joined yesterday (the fourth battalion,) twenty of the men had no muskets. They were furnished with pikes about twelve feet long.

The enemy have reinforced their guards on this part of the Island. Three battalions appeared on the point opposite this place yesterday morning, with four pieces of field-artillery. Probably this arises from their perceiving our force daily increasing here.

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

HUGH MERCER.

To His Excellency General Washington.

A General Return of the PENNSYLVANIA Forces in NEW-JERSEY, PERTH-AMBOY, July 24, 1776, under the Command of Brigadier-General MERCER.

HUGH MERCER, Brigadier-General.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE NEW-YORK CONVENTION.

New-York, July 24, 1776.

SIR: I have been honoured with your favour of the 20th instant, with its several enclosures. I observe the sentiments of your honourable body on the impracticability of removing the stock from Nassau-Island, and the measures they have adopted for securing them there and protecting the inhabitants, and sincerely wish they may prove adequate.

I have long since and frequently requested the Commissary to purchase all the fatted cattle and sheep from the Island that he possibly could, in preference to any other. He informs me that he has had many from thence, and that he now has persons employed in different parts for that purpose. The expediency of the measure strikes me so forcibly, that you may depend every means in my power will be directed to is execution.

Agreeably to your request, I shall continue Colonel Livingston at his present post, for the protection of the inhabitants against the insults of the enemy's cruisers, unless something should happen to make his removal necessary.

When the several regiments are raised, and I am certified thereof, and of the places of rendezvous, I will direct the Mustermaster-General to attend and complete the musters.

Governour Trumbull having informed me by letter, yesterday, that since the arrival of the fleet at the Hook, many of the enemy's frigates and ships have been, stationed between Montauk-Point and Block-Island to intercept the trade from the Sound, and in which they had been but too successful in taking several provision vessels, and of the impossibility that any should escape falling into their hands, he had ordered the armed vessels in the service of Connecticut to stop and detain all vessels going down the Sound with provisions, till the Continental Congress, or the Conventions of the States to which they belong, could be apprized of the hazards attending their proceeding in their voyage, and give orders thereon. I beg leave to recommend the matter to the consideration of your honourable body, and submit it to them whether it may not be expedient to lay a general embargo or prohibition upon all exports of this kind from your State, except such as Congress or yourselves may order.

The propriety of keeping the enemy from suppliers of this sort, and providing a sufficiency for our Army, is so evident that words are unnecessary upon the subject. However, I cannot but observe, as my opinion, that the former will be impossible to effect, unless some general restraining regulation is come into. No care, nor industry, nor honesty, on the part of exporters, will be able to elude the vigilance and activity of their almost innumerable cruiser. But when it is considered, that as long as a free export of any articles of this nature is tolerated, disaffected persons may easily fall into their hands with impunity, nor any means be left us to ascertain their guilt; when there is strong reason to believe that some have designedly done so, and almost incontestable proof, from sundry depositions of deserters and others, that a ship that went from hence sailed with no other view, and joined the enemy at the Hook,—I incline to think the measure not only advisable, but necessary; especially as the large consumption of provisions by our Army affords, and will afford, a ready cash market for all that individuals may have to dispose of, and take away every objection of injury on that head. Were it otherwise, private advantages and emoluments must always give place to the publick good, when they are incompatible.

The last deserters from the enemy inform us, since they have heard of our forming a camp at Amboy, they have talked much of turning their views to Long-Island, and regaling themselves with large supplies of provisions they intend to get from thence. This is an additional circumstance to induce the Commissary to purchase the cattle there before any other.

I have the honour to be, with great respect, sir, your most obedient servant,

GO. WASHINGTON.

To the Hon. Nathaniel Woodhull, Esq., President, &c.

P. S. When the ships of war, &c., ran up the river, I wrote to Governours Trumbull and Cooke for some of their row-galleys, supposing they might be of service in attempting something against the ships. I expect three or four every hour, besides the one I have. If the Secret Committee are forming any plan against the ships, in which they may think they may be usefully employed, and will let me know, I shall be glad to cooperate with them, and furnish every assistance the galleys can give, if not otherwise materially engaged.

I am just now informed that the ship mentioned above to have gone to the enemy, was fitted out by the Congress, under the command of a Captain Hilton, who has acted this base part.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

New-York, July 24, 1776.

SIR: I was honoured yesterday with your favour of the 17th instant, and return you my thanks for your kind atten-