No part of Sandy Hook is within three miles of the bar, guns placed there could not annoy a fleet in passing so well as they could on places nearer at hand and which we can better support, there is no time to make a work that could stand a seige—a fascine work that can contain one hundred men is all that is constructed, and this is round the light house. A large square fort is built at Brooklyn heights, the works at Paulus Hook are strengthened, and these at Fort Knyphausen put in order - The towns people are employ'd in joining the redoubts near the town with lines.

But our real strength consists in this, our forces can be brought together in a few hours, from our situation and number of boats our movements can be quicker than any enemys that present themselves. The whole troops may be led to fight the enemy, in the mean time six thousand arm'd inhabitants, will defend the town and all the island on this side Harlaam, a victory would immediately restore the posts we might give up to unite our force.

General Knyphausen never lets an oppertunity escape of attacking the rebels posts, the plan, secrecy, precision and choice of the leaders, have insured success to all his measures. His attention and capacity place him high in the opinion of the troops.

Our friends and the General himself wish that Washington could be attacked, he lyes at Morristown with only about 4000 men, these dissatisfyed, desirous to desert, and in want of every necessary. The lateness of the season, there not yet being a blade of grass, and the facility with which Washington could avoid an action, by withdrawing some marches from a post which we could not keep, nor acquire any thing by keeping are probably the reasons that have hitherto kept us only employ'd in defensive works.

The Marquis de la Fayette who landed at Boston from the Hermione Frigate, in his way to M* Washington's camp nearly escaped a party General Knyphausen sent to intercept him at the Clove.

The ship that carries this is of small force, I have only had a few hours notice of her sailing, which I can not delay, as this would deprive her of the benefit of the Quebec convoy now under sail. This prevents my sending you by this occasion an account of what has passed in the Province in detail. I can in general say that all my proclamations and answers to addresses have been calculated to gain the people without the lines. They are discontented with their own Government, and from the sons of some of the most considerable familys who have come into me, I am assured that their general intention is to return to their allegiance. Those within the Lines give me a better proof than words, of their opinion of the permanence of His Majesty's Government, since my arrival, I observe they begin to repair and rebuild houses and to enclose and manure fields. I will defer speaking of the advantages His Majesty may derive from these changes of circumstances and inclinations in point of Economy and force till I have a better oppertunity of again doing myself the Honor of professing the regard with which 1 am My Lord

To the Right Honble

Lord George Germain.

Your Lordships

My Lord,

Governor Robertson to Lord George Germain.

[New-York, CLXXI.]

New York 1" July 1780.

On the 26th of June the pacquet brought me your dispatches of the 3d of May. Your Lordship employed me most agreeably in announcing to the Inhabitants His Majesty's approbation of their behaviour last winter—charmed and honored by His Royal goodness they will arm with encreased alacrity against His Enemys.

Sir Henry Clinton being arrived it would be presuming and improper in me to trouble your Lordship on the subject of future operations—But I take the liberty at General Knyphausen's desire, (who is fonder of forming and executing plans than of describing them) to give you some account of a movement he made into Jersey, and of his motives for doing it.

He had intelligence that Washington's Army at Morris Town did not exceeed 4000—2200 of these Philadelphia troops who had given evident proofs that they hated Congress and were tired of rebellion. Washington had made a detachment to protect the Cheseapeak against Sir H. Clinton; another to protect the County of Albany from Sir John Johnson, who was then on the Mohawk river; and a third to cover the frontiers of Pensylvania against Butler and his Indians. The account of the reduction of Charlestown was fresh. The General thought under these circumstances by approaching the enemy to find means of giving advantages to the King's arms, and encreasing the difficulties of the rebels. On the 6,h of June we sail'd with as many troops as could safely be spared from the defence of this Province-6000—to Staten Island, from thence we landed our advanced guard the same night at Elizabeth Town, where they waited the landing of a second embarkation by the return of the boats—these Bodys moved on, with orders to try to surpize Maxwell's Brigade of Jersey Troops, stationed near to the road we marched by, to endeavor to get possession of the strong post at Short hills, to wait there the arrival of the third embarkation of the army—from whence if our intelligence should show circumstances favorable, it was intended to march directly with the whole against Washington, who had been sending his stores from Morristown, but was still incumbered there with a great many.

After marching a few miles, we found Maxwell's Brigade, and about a thousand Militia in Arms, they occupyed and gave us the trouble of driving them from every advantageous situation; by twelve o'clock, we drove them as far as Springfield, about twelve miles—Here we learned from Prisoners and Deserters, that Washington had got time to occupy with all his force the strong post of Short hills; at this moment we got notice that Sir H. Clinton was not bound for Chesepeak, but in a few days would be at Sandy Hook. As the success of our project depended on the rapidity of our march, we brought no carriages with us, or provisions but what the men carryed—We had a number wounded whom we could not carry forward; Under these circumstances General Knyphausen gave up the intention of forcing Washington to an action in such an advantageous post, and resolved to wait in Jersey Sir Henry Clinton's arrival, that he might be ready to act jointly or separately with him.

On the 17,h of June Sir Henry arrived at New York, and immediately received notice from General Knyphausen of our and Washington's situation. Sir Henry landed the part of the Army that came with him on Staten Island on the 19th,—On the 23d he embarked & went

with them up the North River, He desired that a strong patrole from our part of the Army should penetrate into the country to verify or contradict the report we had of Washington's March to the Highlands — if he had marched, we were to pass and carry the bridge we had made to Staten Island; if he remained Sir Henry was to return to us. General Knyphausen marched at the head of 3,000 men; The rebels as before occupyed every favorable situation, and fought in a manner that shows honor may be got by destroying them, but a double advantage to the state by bringing them to be good subjects; they were however always beat. Being well assured of Washington's march towards the Clove, General Knyphausen returned, passed his bridge, removed it, and brought off his rear guard without losing any man or thing. The Orders of the troops were conceived in a spirit to shew the people that we considered the Country as the King's, and those who did not appear in Arms as His subjects & our friends; The reverence the Germans have for their General made them comply with his orders; The domestick animals strayed about unhurt among them; no plunder nor rudeness took place—A house from whence the rebels fired was burnt by the British, some refugees took this as a signal that allowed them to vent their revenge, and they wantonly by burning several houses, deprived us of the reputation the General's intentions merited, and gave too good foundation to the rebels to represent us as inimical to the Country.

The consequences of this move, are, The rebels have lost more militia on this occasion than ever they did before; in future they will not consider turning out as an amusement. Washington on this occasion called to the different governments to draught their militia, every fourth man; I have now messages from hundreds that they will escape this by coming to us —their distress for provisions, has been greatly encreased by this move—And ours for forrage which could not be had within our lines has been releived at the expence of the enemyWashington was obliged to recall his detachments, which may have given advantages to our arms in other quarters.

As the General and Admiral have acquainted your Lordship of their different sentiments about the renewal of Civil Government, they and the state will benefit by the appeal; but no advantage could arise from the publick or even the Councils being informed that they did not think alike on the subject—I have taken some pains to keep the Question out of sight—And as these Gentlemen equally intend that the subject be protected in his property, be secured against the abuses & insults of military misrule, that a good police and good discipline may make the neighbourhood of the Army advantageous to the inhabitants, and the industry of these being excited by security and order, useful to the state, Sir Henry means to direct me to take the management of the police of the province, and subject to his inspection, to endeavor to give the people all the encouragement and real advantages graciously intended them by His Majesty on my appointment—The Admiral expresses his approbation of the expedient; for my part I shall most gladly exert my utmost endeavors to answer the end of my appointment; If I can serve His Majesty and have the honor of executing the spirit of the instructions you honored me with, I care no more than the people will by what name I am called.

An Officer from Gen1 Dalling1 has just told me he is authorized to engage men here to make

'Lieutenant-General Sir John Dallino, Bart., of Burwood, Surrey, was appointed on the 2d February, 1757, Major of the 27th foot, and served under Loudon, in 1757; at the siege of Louisbourg in 1758, and under Wolfe, before Quebec, in 1759, when he commanded a corps of light infantry. Knox, I., 297, 317, 823, 835, 847, 354, 856; Beatton't Natal and Military Memoirs, III., 227, 395. He became Lieutenant-Colonel of the 43d, in 1760, and commanded that regiment at the siege of Havana, in 1762. About the year 1767 some gentlemen of Jamaica applied for a resident Lieutenant-Governor, whereupon

war on the Spaniards; I intend to encourage that spirit within the lines, and am hopeful to make this a means of lessening the rebel army.

A few days after the date of my letter to you of the 7th of June, Lord Lincoln1 arrived here with the glorious and important account of the surrender of Charles Town with the whole of the Rebel Land and Naval Force there. This joyful event, which you will long since have been informed of, must greatly serve to dispirit the rebels, and indispose them for any cooperation with the Forces carried out by Monsr de Ternai; and as I trust Sir Henry Clinton, with a part of his victorious troops is safely returned to you as he proposed leaving Charles Town the beginning of June, I do not apprehend any attempt will be made upon New York: indeed I should have been in no pain for the event if 1 had supposed it to be attacked by the joint forces of Monsr de Ternai and Mr Washington even before Sir Henry Clinton with his reinforcement could have arrived, as the number & excellence of the King's Forces, the ability of their Commanders and the spirit & loyalty of the Inhabitants gave me full confidence that such a defence would have been made as all the force that could have been brought to the attack would not have been able to overcome.

Your letter of the IS"1 of. May, which I received the 17th of last month, confirmed me in this opinion, and opens the pleasing prospect of a restoration of the King's Government in the Province, and which I see with particular satisfaction your public Acts are all calculated Lieutenant-Colonel Dalling was appointed to that office (Edwards' Wett Indies, 8vo., 1793, II., 311), and exchanged into the 36th foot, then stationed on that island. In 1772 he changed into the 50th, and a few years after, on the death of Sir William Trelawney, became Governor-in-Chief of Jamaica. Edwards. In January, 1776, he was appointed Colonel Commandant of the 3d battalion of the 60th Royal Americans; Major-General 29th August, 1777. He got up an expedition against the Spanish Main in 1780, and became Lieutenant-General in November, 1782. He was raised to the rank of Baronet in 1783 (Beatson's Index, I., 210); in November, of the same year, appointed Colonel of the 37th foot, and died in 1798. 1 THOMAS PELHAM CLINTON, afterwards 2d Duke of Newcastle, was born July, 1752, and entered the army as Ensign in the 12th foot 17th March, 1769. His next step was that of Captain in the 1st o rKing's dragoon guards, 12th July, 1770. He exchanged into the 1st regiment of foot guards 6th April, 1775, and next came to America, where he served as Aid-deCamp to his second cousin, Sir Henry Clinton, the Commander-in-Chief, with whose dispatches, announcing the fall of Charleston, S. C., he went to England in 1780. Btatnon'e Naval and Military Memoirs, V., 28. He, shortly afterwards, was promoted to be Colonel in the army and appointed Aid-de-Camp to the King. In 1782 he became Colonel of the 75th foot; in 1785, of the 17th light dragoons; Major-General in 1787. He succeeded to the dukedom in 1794, and died 17th May, 1796. His grace was succeeded in the command of his regiment by Lieutenant-General Oliver de Laneey, of New-York. Army Lists.-ED.

to promote, & I should think cannot fail to make a deep impression upon the minds of all reasonable men, and remove those unjust prejudices entertained of the vindictive disposition of Great Britain towards the revolted Provinces, Your next dispatch will I hope inform me of the happy effects the success at Charles Town and the generous terms granted to the Garrison have had upon the people without your lines, and in the neighbouring Provinces, which may give occasion for an extension of your powers as Civil Governor. In the mean time I have the pleasure to send you inclosed herewith a printed copy of the Act passed in the present Session, "for allowing the trade between Ireland and the British Colonies and Plantations in America and the West Indies, and the British Settlements on the Coast of Africa to be carried on in like manner as it is now carried on between Great Britain and the said Colonies and Settlements." which I hope will remove the difficulties which the Trade of the City is now under, and prove satisfactory to the Inhabitants.

Governor Robertson.

I am &ca

GEO: GERMAIN.

No 15. My Lord.

Colonel Guy Johnson to Lord George Germain.

[Plantations General (8. P. O.) CCLXVI.]

Niagara 26. July. 1780.

In my letter of the 4th of May I gave a brief account of the faithful and successful services of the Indians under my superintendency against the Rebels during the Winter and of the endeavours of the latter to draw off the Six Nations, thro' the negotiations of four disaffected Indians sent to this place for that purpose.

I have now the honor to acquaint your Lord, that the major part of the disaffected Tribes are come in, and at length restored to the British Interest, and I shall also lay before you the good conduct and success of the Indians, since my last. Being sensible that those Oneidas and others who had during the War remained on the Rebel frontiers, and under their influence were rather governed by situation and imposed on by artifice than led by inclination to espouse their interest, & finding that their continuance in that quarter exposed our motions and served to cover that part of the Country, our Indians however averse to their conduct not inclining to cut off part of their own Confederacy, I seized a favourable occasion last winter to intimate, that if they ever expected to be restored to the favour and protection of Govern', they had no time to loose; in consequence of which I recd last month a Message from them, informing me that they had approved of my advice, & were preparing to leave their Country and join me which they did the beginning of this month, to the amount of three hundred and thirty souls, of whom above one hundred are Men, more than seventy of whom have since marched with my War partys, and will, I expect, do their utmost to efface the remembrance their past conduct, having told them that they owed their reception to His Maju clemency, but they must merit his favors by their actions. The particulars of my proceedings with them are transmitted to the Commander in Chief and I am assured, that the small remainder still with the Rebels will soon follow their example, and thereby lay open the Rebel frontier