this State), it is submitted, whether it would not be proper to secure him elsewhere until the close of the present campaign?

The troops under Colonel McClanagan, which I expected at their quarters between the first and second mountains yesterday, I find took the route by Pluckamin and lodged there last night. I sent this morning at daybreak a messenger to bring them into the Boundbrook Road at Boylans. I understand Col. Spotswood's regiment is on the march by the same route.

The time of Capt. James Scott's company will expire the 14th. Lieut. Kidgelow and the bulk of the men have behaved very well; as they can now be spared, I believe it will be best that I be furnished with His Excellency's dismission of them by the day.

I wrote to His Excellency on Thursday last about the appointment of Wilcocks. If he is approved of I wish you would get both Mr. Williams and him in orders, and that you would be so good as to write him to come to me.

If there be any thing in General Orders within these two or three days that can relate to the troops here, I should be glad to have a copy of them.

I am, very sincerely,

Your affectionate humble servt.,

STIRLING.

Colonel Hamilton.

THE COMMITTEE OF CONVENTION TO HAMILTON.

KINGSTON, 16th April, 1777.

SIR:

We are directed, by Convention, to inclose a Resolution passed this day, in addition to that of the first of April, which we before did ourselves the honor to transmit to His Excellency, by which we hope to put an effectual stop to any further desertions to the enemy; as the disaffected have been hitherto greatly emboldened by their having, for the want of courts, escaped the punishment they deserved. It frequently happens, that ignorant young lads are seduced to enlist with the enemy, and are taken in their way to them. We have sometimes thought that such might safely be admitted to enlist in our regiments (which they are generally inclined to do), as a change of company will often make an alteration in their sentiments, in which case a useful number may be preserved to the community. We wish you to consult the General on this subject, and to favor us with his opinion, by which we shall regulate our future conduct relative to such persons.

We are obliged to you for communicating by Mr. Troop, an account of the engagement of Sunday, in which we equally admire the extreme caution of the enemy, and the spirit of that handful of men by whom they were opposed. The same bravery will, we hope, prove as fortunate, when a fairer occasion offers for its exertion. We have daily information of plots that are formed in this State; and a few days ago apprehended a Colonel who was raising a regiment for the service of the enemy. We hope, by a seasonable severity, to prevent this evil from becoming very extensive.

We are, Sir, &c.

HAMILTON TO LIVINGSTON.

SIR:

HEAD QUARTERS, MORRISTOWN, April 29, 1777.

The inclosed was intended to be sent with the prisoners mentioned in the list; but before this could be conveniently done, Mr. Sims, one of the Chief Justices of the State, came to this town, and informed me, that the Governor and Council were upon the point of adjourning; and that the sending of the prisoners to them, would only be an embarrassment, without answering, at present, any valuable purpose. He considered himself authorized to take the matter under his direction, and desired a sight of the papers relating to it. After perusing them, he determined it was best the prisoners should remain here, until he should receive your further orders on the subject; and delivered me a letter for you, containing a representation of their cases, as they appear to him, in order to know your sense, in what manner they shall be disposed of.

He admits two of them, Woolverton and Silas Howel, to bail.

In addition to the former, I send you a second list of four others that have been lately committed to jail. These are high offenders, and among the number of those who it were to be wished could have an immediate trial and punishment. Isaac Ogden, in particular, is one of the most barefaced impudent fellows that ever came under my observation. He openly acknowledged himself a subject of the King of Great Britain; and flatly refused to give any satisfaction to some questions that were put to him respecting one Moses Nichols, an emissary from the enemy; assigning no other reason for his refusal, than that he had given his word to be silent.

A spirit of disaffection shows itself with so much boldness and violence in different parts of this State, that it is the ardent wish of His Excellency, no delay, which can be avoided, might be used in making examples of some of the most atrocious offend

ers. If something be not speedily done, to strike a terror into the disaffected, the consequences must be very disagreeable.

Among others, all security to the friends of the American cause will be destroyed; and the natural effect of this, will be an extinction of zeal in seconding and promoting it. Their attachment, if it remain, will be a dead, inactive, useless principle. And the disaffected, emboldened by impunity, will be encouraged to proceed to the most dangerous and pernicious lengths. I have the honor to be, with great respect,

Your Excellency's most ob't servant,

To Gov. Livingston.

A. HAMILTON, A. D. C.

HUGH KNOX TO HAMILTON.

MY DEAR FRIEND:

ST. CROIX, April 31, 1777.

A pretty fair opportunity just offering for Philadelphia, I could not omit acknowledging the receipt of your very circumstantial and satisfactory letter of the 14th February. The thing has happened which I wished for. We have been amazed here by vague, imperfect, and very false accounts of matters from the Continent and I always told my friends, that if you survived the campaign, and had an hour of leisure to write to me, I expected a more true, circumstantial, and satisfactory account of matters in your letter, than by all the public papers and private intelligence we had received here. I have but a moment to command at present, and have not time to remark upon your letter. I can only inform you, that it has given high satisfaction to all friends here. We rejoice in your good character and advancement, which is, indeed, only the just reward of merit. May you still live to deserve more and more from the friends of America, and to justify the choice, and merit the approbation, of he GREAT AND GOOD GENERAL WASHINGTON

a

name which will shine with distinguished lustre in the annals of history-a name dear to the friends of the Liberties of Mankind! Mark this: You must be the Annalist and Biographer, as well as the Aide-de-Camp, of General Washington—and the Historiographer of the AMERICAN WAR! I take the liberty to insist on this. I hope you take minutes and keep a Journal! If you have not hitherto, I pray do it henceforth. I seriously, and with all my little influence, urge this upon you. This may be a new and strange thought to you: but if you survive the present troubles, I aver-few men will be as well qualified to write the history of the present glorious struggle. God only knows how it may terminate. But however that may be, it will be a most interesting story.

I congratulate you on your recovery from a long and dangerous illness. It is my own case-I am just convalescent, after the severest attack I ever had in my life. I hope to write you more at large soon, and remain, with the tender of every kind and friendly wish,

The bearer of this is Mr. Malmedi, a French gentleman of learning, abilities, and experience. I believe he thinks himself entitled to preferment, and comes to Congress for that purpose. At the recommendation of General Lee, he was made Brigadier General by the State of Rhode Island; and filled the station to the satisfaction of his employers, as appears by a letter from Governor Cook, speaking of him in the highest terms of approbation. This has led him to hope that he should be adopted by