unexpected prohibition to export provisions from the United Colonies, occasioned an application from the island of Bermudas, representing their fa vourable dispositions towards the American cause'; and their present sufferings, in consequence of the entire cessation of all intercourse between them. On considering this memorial, it was determined that a sufficient quantity of provisions for the support of that island might be exported to it, to be paid for not only in arms, ammunition, saltpetre, or sulphur, but likewise in salt, an article abounding in Bermudas; and the want of which began to be very severely felt in North America. The quantity of provisions to be exported was apportioned among the middle and southern states, including New York; and the respective conventions or committees of safety were requested to license and superintend the loading of vessels engaged in this commerce.

Although the British army had as yet manifested no intention to evacuate Boston, fears were continually entertained concerning the colony of New York. Mr. Tryon, who was very popular in that province, and who had been some time before removed from it to the government of North Carolina, had been lately recalled and appointed Governor of New York, where his utmost influence and address were employed in detaching the colony from the union. His exertions were seconded

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conded by the Asia man of war, whose guns comman led the town, and excited the fears of the citizens for the safety of their persons and property. The consequence of these intrigues and of this terror was, that even in the convention, disaffection to the American cause began openly to shew itself; and the avoyal of a determination to join the king's standard is said to have been made with impunity. Justly alarmed at these threatening appearances, which were rendered the more serious by some confidential communications from England, stating the intention of the administration to be to possess themselves immediately of the Hudson, and to occupy both New York and Albany; an effort was made in Congress to obtain a resolution for removing what was believed the primary cause, by seizing the Governor; but he had been artful enough so to conduct himself, as to make impressions in his favour on several of the popular leaders; and he was defended by a part of the delegation from New York, with so much earnestness, that the advocates of the proposition forbore for a time to press it; and when,

* Governor Tryon derived no inconsiderable degree of aid from the press of Mr. Rivington, which was now devoted to the royal cause. Its influence was believed to be so pernicious, that Captain Sear, at the head of a body of horsemen from Connecticut, armed with muskets, entered the town, broke up his press, and carried off his type..

afterwards,

afterwards, the increasing defection in that province induced them to resume the subject, the resolution was expressed in general terms, and assumed the form of a recommendation to them who exercised the legislative and executive authorities in the several provinces, "To arrest and secure every person in their respective colonies, whose going at large might, in their opinion, endanger the safety of the colony, or the liberties of America."

Intelligence of this resolution is supposed to have been received by the Governor, who, after some correspondence with the Mayor of the city respecting his personal safety, retired for security on board the Halifax packet; from whence he continued to carry on his intrigues with nearly as much advantage as while on shore.

This temper manifested by New York excited serious fears respecting the highlands on the: Hudson, a post of so much importance, as to have engaged the attention of the convention, who applied to Congress on that subject, and transmitted a plan of the works proposed to be there erected for the defence of the river. Congress warmly recommended a prosecution of this plan, and determined on establishing a continental post in the highlands; for the garrisoning of which, measures were immediately taken. Two regiments were directed to be raised by New Jersey, on continental establishment, to serve for one year; and a detach

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detachment from these troops was ordered to the Hudson. Those not ordered to the highlands, were directed to approach New York, probably for the purpose of giving confidence to their friends in that place.

But the subject which, next to the supply of arms and ammunition, most interested the Ame→ rican government, was the re-enlistment of the army before Boston.

The early attention of Congress to this essential object had been most earnestly solicited by General Washington; and, on the 29th of September, a committee had been appointed, with directions to repair to the camp at Cambridge; there to consult with the Commander in Chief, and with the chief magistrates of New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, and the council of Massachussetts, "on the most effectual method of continuing, supporting, and regulating a continental army. On the return of this committee, it was determined, that the new army intended to lie before Boston, should consist of twenty thousand three hundred and seventy-two men, including officers, to be raised as as practicable from the troops already in service at hat place. Unfortunately, in constituting this first military establishment of the union, an essential possibly an inevitable error was committed; the conse¬ quences of which were ever afterwards very se▾

verely felt. The enlistments, instead of being for the war, were only for the term of one year, if not sooner discharged by Congress. It is not easy entirely to account for this fatal error. Some jealousy of a permanent army was probably intermingled with the hope, that the war would not be of long duration; and with the fear, that much difficulty would be experienced in prevailing on men to enter into engagements of unlimited extent. Perhaps the habits of the northern colonies, where it had been usual to raise men for a single campaign, may have contributed to this measure. And it very probably might have been supposed, that, as hostilities made greater progress, the public resentments would increase, the people would be more united, and the ranks would be filled with more facility. Whatever motives led to its adoption, its consequences were of the most serious nature; and no one part of the American system brought their ultimate success into such real hazard,

Accompanying the resolution for raising and establishing the new army, were others, some of which serve to exhibit the perilous condition of the country, and how unprepared it was for the arduous conflict in which it was engaged.

The soldiers had brought with them into service their own arms, a practice at all times inconvenient, as they will be of different caliber; yet