P. S. The American captures of British vessels, at sea, have not been less numerous, or less valuable, than before Doctor Franklin left us. The value of these captures has been estimated at two millions.

BALTIMORE, December 30, 1776.

HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN-You will be pleased to receive herewith, copies of our letter of the 21st instant, and of its enclosures, which we recommend to your attention; since that letter was written, General Washington having been reenforced by the troops lately commanded by General Lee, and by some corps of militia, crossed the Delaware, with two thousand five hundred men, and attacked a body of the enemy stationed at Trenton, with the success that you will see related in the enclosed handbill. We hope this blow will be followed by others that may leave the enemy not so much to boast of as they some days ago expected, and we had reason to apprehend. Upon mature deliberation of all circumstances, Congress deem the speedy declaration of France, and European assistance, so indispensably necessary to secure the independence of these states, that they have authorized you to make such tenders to France and Spain as, they hope, will prevent any longer delay of an event that is judged so essential to the well being of North America. Your wisdom, we know, will direct you to make such use of these powers as will procure the thing desired, on terms as much short of the concessions now offered as possible; but no advantages of this kind are proposed to be contemplated, at the risk of a delay that may prove dangerous to the end in view. It must be very obvious to the court of France, that if Great Britain should succeed in her design of subjugating these states, that their inhabitants, now well trained to the use of arms, might be compelled to become instruments for making conquest of the French possessions in the West Indies, which would be a sad reverse of that security and commercial benefit that would result to France from the independence of North America. By some accident, in removing the papers from Philadelphia to this place, the secretary of Congress has mislaid the additional instruction,

formerly given you, by which you were empowered to negotiate with other courts than France. We think it necessary to mention this to you, lest the paper should get into wrong hands; and, because we wish to have a copy sent us by the first good opportunity. We observe that Mr. Deane sent his despatches, for this committee, open, to Mr. Bingham; but, though we have a good opinion of that gentleman, yet we think him rather too young to be made acquainted with the business passing between you and us, and, therefore, wish this may not be done in cases of much importance. The next opportunity will bring you the determination of Congress concerning the persons that are to be sent to the courts of Vienna, Prussia, Spain, and the grand duke of Tuscany. In the mean time, it is hoped, that, through the medium of the ambassadors from those courts to that of France, you may be able to procure their friendly mediation for the purposes proposed by Congress. One of our continental armed vessels, of fourteen guns, lately met with a king's sloop of war of twelve guns, and, after a smart engagement, the sloop was brought into the Delaware. In our last, we say, the prisoners made by the enemy at Fort Washington, were near three thousand, but the number is fixt at two thousand six hundred, and the number of West Indiamen taken by our cruizers, amounts to two hundred and fifty. Wishing you health and success, we remain, honourable gentlemen, &c.

BALTIMORE, (Maryland,) February 19, 1777.

HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN-The events of war have not, since our last, furnished any thing decisive. The enemy's army still remains encamped upon the hills near Brunswick, and still our troops continue to beat back and destroy their convoys; insomuch, that, we understand, their horses die in numbers; and, we have reason to believe, that the difficulty of removing their stores, cannon, &c. will be insuperably great, until the opening of the Rariton furnishes a passage by water for their return to New York. The American army is not numerous at present, but the new levies are collecting as fast as possible, and we hope to have a sufficient force early in the field. We see by the speech of the king of

Great Britain to his Parliament, that much money will be called for; no doubt, to prosecute the war with unrelenting vigour. That we shall oppose with all our power, is certain, but the event must be doubtful until France shall take a decided part in the war. When that happens, our liberties will be secured, and the glory and greatness of France be placed on the most solid foundation. What may be the consequence of her delay must be a painful consideration to every friend of that country and of this. Thus viewing our situation, we are sure it will occasion your strongest exertions to procure an event of such momentous consequence to your country. It is in vain for us to have on hand a great abundance of tobacco, rice, indigo, flour, and other valuable articles of merchandise, if prevented from exporting them by having the whole naval power of Great Britain to contend against. It is not only for our interest, but clearly so for the benefit of Europe in general, that we should not be hindered from freely transmitting our products, that abound here, and are so much wanted there. Why should the avarice and ambition of Great Britain be gratified to the excessive injury of other nations? We feel sensibly the disagreeable situation Mr. Deane must have been in, from early in June to the date of his letter, in October; but this was occasioned by accident, not neglect, of writing, since letters were sent to him in all the intervening months, which must have unluckily fallen into the enemies' hands, or been destroyed. Mr. Bingham informs us, from Martinique, that he learned from a Spanish general there, on his way to South America, that the king of Spain was willing to do the United States offices of friendship, and that a loan of money might be obtained from that court. As the power sent you for borrowing is not confined to place, we mention this intelligence that you may avail yourselves of his Catholic majesty's friendly designs. Perhaps a loan can be obtained there on better terms than elsewhere. Mr. Deane recommends sending frigates to France, and to convoy our merchandise; but it should be considered that we are young in the business of fitting ships of war; that founderies for cannon were all to be erected, and the difficulty of getting seamen quickly, when privateers abound as they do from the states where sailors are chiefly to be met with; and lastly, that our frigates are much restrained by the heavy ships of the enemy which are placed at the entrance of our bays; in short, the attention of Great Britain must in part be drawn from here before France can benefit largely by our commerce. We expect it will not be long before Congress will appoint commissioners to

the courts formerly mentioned; and, in the mean time, you will serve the cause of your country, in the best manner possible, with the ministers from those courts to that of Versailles. Earnestly wishing for good news, and quickly, from you, we remain, with friendship and esteem, honourable gentlemen, your most obedient humble servants.

P. S. Congress adjourns this week back to Philadelphia.

NUMBER IX.

FISHKILL, the 23d of May, 1778. SIR-Although I have but the honour of a short acquaintance with you, being upon the eve of my departure from this country, I take the liberty of troubling you with a few lines. After having complied with all the orders of Congress, I was sent back to Albany, in the latter end of last month. I then represented to General Washington, to the board of war, and to the president of Congress, that I being a French officer, and the most advanced in rank in the French army, (in spite of the stories and false pretensions of Mr. Kalb,) of all the French officers who came over, I could not think of being idle in a town, while others were fighting, that this was neither becoming my character, nor consistent with my principles; I therefore requested to be put in the way of action, and if any services were not thought necessary, I expected that Congress would give me such a certificate, as might justify me in returning to France, at the opening of the campaign. In answer to this pressing demand of mine, Congress resolved to accept of my resignation; but I did not hear a word about the certificate to which I am entitled. I do not blame the Congress at large for this extraordinary usage. I am told that it has been the effect of a cabal prejudiced against me. I do not meddle with any cabal, but whatever might be the influence of my unknown enemies in Congress, I expect that in your dispassionate view, Congress will consider that I have served with zeal and honour, that I have been invited, solicited, and sent over, by Mr. Silas Deane, that I was detained by Congress, that I have complied with all orders directed to me, that if my desire of serving in the field, of being in the way of action, is not agreeable, I ought to be dischaged in a manner becoming the dignity of Congress, as an officer called for by your agent, and who bears an honourable rank in the army of the power allied with the United States. This, sir, I have mentioned to President Laurens, and as I set a value upon your esteem, I thought it would not be improper to let you know, that when a number of French officers, (or who are said to be so,) are devouring the pay and rations of the continent far from the army, I was discarded