EXTRACTS FROM THE LETTER-BOOK OF CAPTAIN JOHANN HEINRICHS OF THE HESSIAN JÄGER CORPS, 1778-1780.

[We printed in the PENNSYLVANIA MAGAZINE, Vol. I. pp. 40-43, a letter of Captain Johann Heinrichs, translated from the correspondence of Professor Schlözer, of Göttingen. The Historical Society of Pennsylvania has since secured in Germany one of the letter-books of Captain Heinrichs, and while we are not in accord with many of his opinions, we think that his letters contain so much of interest as to warrant their publication. We are indebted to Mr. Julius F. Sachse for their translation.-ED.]

"PHILADELPHIA January 18, 1778.

"TO THE HONORABLE COUNSELLOR OF THE COURT, H.

"Call this war, dearest friend, by whatsoever name you may, only call it not an American Rebellion, it is nothing more nor less than an Irish-Scotch Presbyterian Rebellion. Those true Americans who take the greatest part therein, are the famous Quakers. The most celebrated, the first ones in entire Pennsylvania and Philadelphia and Boston are, properly speaking, the heads of the Rebellion. I am not allowed to write to you explicitly, just how the matter developed, but you can guess at what I have omitted, and you will hit it pretty fairly.

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"For the first you must assume two Rebellions proper. The former was fomenting fifty years ago. It was the result of a state projected upon false principles, whose citizens consisted of seemingly hypocritical pious impostors, and downright cheats. These hypocrites are the Quakers. I cannot tell you all of the infamy I hold these people capable of; for I can think of nothing more abominable, than to practise, under the guise of Religion,-malice, envy, yea even ambition, (thirst of power). In Pennsylvania they are the first, the most respected. They know the origin of the Colonies, and knew how to centralize the power in themselves by degrees. By means of such cabals these manifest cheats contrived to attract the Germans who have settled here; they deceived the Germans by means of a paper printed in Germantown, whose editor was paid by them. They were the first to institute a light company; they let the Germans go in first, afterwards they extricated themselves, and left their dupes in the muddle; they bought houses and lands with Congress money and afterwards called themselves friends of the King and said their religion forbade them to fight.

"The second rebellion is that which originated amongst the rebels during the past campaign, namely that for Independence. Since then the remaining righteous ones, who were partly infatuated by the heat of their imagination, partly educated in wrong principles, and in part possibly may have been partially right in their opinion, these have left the scene of action since then, and just as Congress consists of Scoundrels, so the Army consists of people, warmed up in part by the war party, also their only support is in the war, and who are unwilling to exchange sword for last and needle, or who may fear that their former masters, whose serfs they are, would harness them to the yoke, as soon as they surrendered their Captain and Subaltern patents. This is the army proper of the enemy, numbering about 12,000 men. The remainder substitutes and Militia, of whom ten or twenty thousand are mobile at times; these fight only for the Province in which they

dwell, and have been unable to resolve joining the Army and go into another province.

"These do most harm, as when we are present, they are the worst, and most dangerous spies, they betray and frustrate the actions of our spies, they attack our patrols and detachments, they keep our outposts in constant alarm, and when we are gone, they harass and cruelly maltreat their neighbours, who are Loyalists.

"Nor is their standing army to be despised; as there are many Englishmen, Irishmen, Scotchmen, Frenchmen and others in their service, and are per se a brave nation, which bravery is surprisingly enhanced by the enthusiasm engendered by falsehood and vagaries, which are drilled into them, so that it but requires time and good leadership to make them formidable; but the great thing wanting with them is subordination; for their very spirit of independence is detrimental to them; as Hans cannot concede that Peter, who is his neighbour should command him.

"One of the most important things they lack besides salt is Medicine. A surprisingly large number of sick are always in their army.

"They have neither shoes nor stockings; for the shoemaker is either a soldier, or he is a Loyalist, in the former case, he is unwilling to work, and in the latter, he cannot, because he has been robbed and plundered. Their miserable paper-money, which none are willing to take, even among themselves is no longer any incentive even if they were able to work.

"This is about a fair picture of the present situation: The enemy is encamped in huts in Wilmington and Valley Forge, and Washington and Stirling have wagered as to who had the best huts erected. Last year we lay in them, and our army x. y. z. strong lies in Philadelphia which is fortified by eleven redoubts and one outpost, we are supplied with all that is necessary and superfluous. Assemblies, Concerts, Comedies, Clubs and the like make us forget there is any war, save that it is a capital joke.

"Lord Howe went with a part of his fleet into winter

quarters at Rhode Island some weeks ago. Fresh victuals, vegetables, and poultry are furnished from the opposite shore of Jersey and Chester County by means of a smuggling trade up the Delaware in small boats; which are covered by a small Galley on our side.

"Whether we shall have peace? I hardly think we will before next winter. We may be mistaken, as General Lee is going about in New York on parole."

"THE NECK, NEAR PHILADELPHIA, March 21, 1778. "TO THE HONORABLE COUNSELLOR OF THE COURT, H. "... It seems as though General Howe is satisfied with the services rendered by the Hessian Jägers, during these eighteen months past, as he has assigned to us the best, most comfortable and quiet winter-quarters. Perhaps we shall have to pay for this during the next summer, but that is the reason for which we are here. I should like to talk

some politics, but this is x? y? z? But this historic observation I will make :-When at the close of the third Punic war, Rome deliberated, what was to be done with Carthage, and all voted to destroy it, as Rome would never be at peace so long as Carthage existed, there arose a wise man among them and advised against such a measure 'For,' said he 'this is the only thing that upholds you, and keeps our rabble, the Plebeians somewhat in check.'

"How proudly have not these lowly ones since the . law (here my memory fails) raised their heads? (I mean the law which was framed after the people had left the city and would not return, until after the law had been enacted by which the Tribunes of the people were instituted).

"These people, who at that time received a franchise, presently desire being esteemed equals, and if the dread of Carthage should cease, that last external enemy, this same populace will nevermore recognize your power and authority, inasmuch as they do not need your protection. But the natural inborn, inherited hatred between Rome and Carthage, caused this wise admonition to be slighted.

"Now my dear friend, if you will but assume instead of