an officer whose activity and prudence I could rely on. He accepted the office, but with much persuasion, as he wished to remain with the regiment. He is now at Fort George, and I am really at a loss to find one to replace him, who will be equal to the duty he is obliged to do.

My Secretary, who had orders to open any despatches that might come from you, and to transmit such parts to General Gates as contained orders that required more immediate despatch than the roundabout way of first sending them here would admit of, informs me that the omitted part of my letter of the 12th was, "enclose returns of the Army at Crown-Point, the garrison of Fort George" &c. "When I was at Crown-Point, I proposed to a council of officers an expedient to procure the return of the deserters of the Northern Army, and it was" unanimously, &c.

I am just now informed that the Pennsylvania carpenters arrived at Albany on the 20th instant. I left directions for forwarding them, and I hope they are now at work.

I have no hope that the conference with the Indians will open before the 29th, and I fear it will then last a week. Their delays distress me beyond imagination. I have represented to them that important business required my attendance at Albany; they will not, however, suffer me to leave them; and my-colleagues apprehend if I do that it will essentially injure us. I must, therefore, comply with their wishes, although my presence on the communication was never more wanted than at this juncture.

Mr. Trumbull, the Deputy Paymaster-General, informs me that his chest is quite empty. So early as the 22d of May Congress voted half a million of dollars for the Northern Army; $200,000 have only been received. Will your Excellency please to represent to Congress that the service suffers very materially for want of money, and that the officers in the different departments are put to inconceivable difficulties on that account.

That Heaven may protect and pour its best blessings on you, is the unfeigned wish of your Excellency's most obedient humble servant,

PH. SCHUYLER.

To His Excellency General Washington.

GENERAL WATERBURY TO GENERAL GATES.

Skenesborough, July 24, 1776.

DEAR SIR: After my regards to your Honour, I would inform you that the letter received with the provision, and ammunition mentioned five barrels of powder. There were but two barrels powder come to hand, which was in provision barrels; and whether your Honour included the five in the two, or whether there was a mistake, I cannot tell, and should be glad your Honour would inform me by the first opportunity.

I should be glad your Honour would see fit to appoint and send some proper person here, to act as Commissary, which I think is very much wanted.

I am, dear sir, respectfully, your Honour's humble servant,

DAVID WATERBURY, Jun.

To the Hon. Major-General Gates, at Ticonderoga.

GENERAL ARNOLD TO GENERAL GATES.

Skenesborough, July 24, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL: I arrived here last evening, and found three gondolas on the stocks; two will be completed in five or six days, the row-galley in eight or ten days. Three other gondolas will be set up immediately, and may be completed in ten days. A company of twenty-seven carpenters from Middletown are cutting timber for a row-galley, on the Spanish construction, to mount six heavy pieces of cannon. One hundred carpenters from Pennsylvania and Massachusetts-Bay will be here this evening. I shall employ them on another row-galley. In two or three weeks, I think we shall have a very formidable fleet. No canvass or cordage is yet arrived, though much wanted. Not one syllable of news from below. There are only one hundred barrels of pork and two hundred of flour here. I have desired Mr. Schuyler to purchase beef for the troops and workmen here. A Commissary of Provisions is much wanted here, and will be more so when the Militia arrive, who are daily expected. If Mr. Taylor can be spared, he will be a proper person to send, and may purchase a considerable quantity of beef in this neighbourhood. I hope the vessels and gondolas will not be retarded for want of seamen or marines. Those seamen who were sent from Crown-Point with Captain Mayhew, and afterwards joined their regiments, I would wish were ordered on board the vessels and gondolas. We shall not be able to procure a sufficient number without them.

The mills at Cheshire's are sawing, and will produce about four thousand feet of boards each day. All that can be sawed in a fortnight will be wanted here. I have ordered the next gondolas that go down to be loaded with boards. I think it will be best to send to Onion River for the boards there, and for a parcel lying between Ticonderoga and Crown-Point. Mr. Hay can inform where they lie. As soon as I can give the carpenters proper instructions, and set them at work, I will return to Ticonderoga.

I am, very respectfully, dear General, your obedient and humble servant,

B. ARNOLD.

To the Honourable Major-General Gates.

COLONEL HARTLEY TO GENERAL GATES.

Crown-Point, July 24, 1776.

HONOURED SIR: Captain Wilson, it seems, has taken prisoners, one a Canadian, who left St. John's within a few days. You will be able to make some material discoveries from him. I have examined him, and was much at a loss to know if the flag should not be stopped till we could hear from you; but as Major Bigelow's orders were positive, he is just now gone down. It would be of consequence to take eight Indians and one Canadian, who have come up from St. John's to spy what we are about. They have landed somewhere between this and Cumberland-Head.

Hays and another on the western shore, Midkiff and some others in Massiskie-Bay, ought to be secured. There is too much reason, I fear, to suspect some other persons, of whom Lieutenant Clark can inform you. I shall wait your orders.

I am, sir, with the greatest respect, your most humble servant,

THOS. HARTLEY.

COLONEL HARTLEY TO GENERAL GATES.

Crown-Point, July 24, 1776.

SIR: I have understood from several quarters that which inclines me to apprehend, that the supposition that Gilliland and some others had sent down one Edward Watson and another to St. John's, had some foundation. They doubtless carry any intelligence they have to the enemy. It has just been intimated to me that Gilliland and Jack Watson, with one Macauley, all relations, have had a hint that they are suspected. This may induce them to send a canoe or boat, to warn the two men of their danger in returning, or to make their own escape. I have ordered a party of about twenty-five men to set off in a boat towards Cumberland-Head, to intercept the eight Indians and the Canadian on their way back to St. John's, or the two rascals in the canoe, who are gone to St. John's, in their return to Willsborough, and also to favour Captain Wilson's retreat. Hays, and the men mentioned in my letter of this day, ought, in my opinion, to be secured. You will judge of the proper time. I hope my conduct will meet with your approbation.

I am, sir, your most humble servant,

THOS. HARTLEY.

P. S. The party will set off to-night or to-morrow morning early, unless countermanded.

PETITION FROM CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NEW-YORK.

To the Hon. HORATIO GATES, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in the Northern Department to defend the AMERICAN States, &c.:

The Petition of the Committee of Safety for the County of CUMBERLAND, in the Colony of NEW-YORK, humbly showeth:

That whereas, by resolves of our Provincial Congress, this County is to raise one hundred and twenty-five effective men to join the troops under your command, and whereas this County of Cumberland is a frontier, eminently exposed to the ravages both of British and Savage cruelty:

We, therefore, your petitioners, humbly pray that your