Extract of a letter from the Hon. Sir Wil-、 liam Howe to Lord George Germaine, dased, New York, May 22. 1777. My LORD, YOUR Lordship's dispatches by Major Balfour, in the Augufta, arrived on the 8th inftant; but as the prefent conveyance is by a private merchant-ship, I fhall defer anfwering them particularly until the failing of the packet, which will be in a fhort time. In my letter of the 24th of April I mentioned an imbarkation of troops detached under the command of Maj.-Gen. Tryon, for the destruction of one of the enemy's magazines of provifions and ftores, collected at Danbury in Connecticut. I have now the honour of reporting to your Lordship the fuccefs of that expedition, and to inclose a return of the ftores deftroyed. The troops landed without oppofition in the afternoon of the 25th of April, about four miles to the eastward of Norwalk, and twenty from Danbury, In the afternoon of the 26th the detachment reached Danbury, meeting only fmall parties of the enemy on the march; but Gen. Tryon having intelligence, that the whole force of the country was collecting, to take every advantage of the ftrong ground he was to pafs on his return to the shipping, and finding it impoffible to procure carriages to bring off any part of the ftores, they were effectually deftroyed; in the execution of which the village was unavoidably burnt. On the 27th in the morning the troops quitted Danbury; and met with little oppofition, until they came near to Ridge field, which was occupied by Gen. Arnold, who had thrown up intrenchments to dispute the paffage, while Gen. Woofter hung upon the rear with a separate corps. The village was forced, and the enemy drove back on all fides. Gen. Tryon lay that night at Ridgefield, and renewed his march on the morning of the 28th.-The enemy, having been reinforced with troops and cannon, difputed every advantageous fituation, keeping at the fame time smaller parties to harafs the rear, until the General had formed his detachment upon a height, within cannon-fhot of the shipping, when the enemy advancing, feemingly with an intention to attack him, he ordered the troops to charge with their bayonets; which was executed with such impetuofity, that the rebels were totally put to flight, and the detachment embarked without further moleftation. The inclofed returns fet forth the lofs fuftained by the King's troops, and that of the enemy from the best information; but I have the fatisfaction to inform your Lordship our wounded officers are in the fairest way of recovery. The enemy's army in Jersey has been encamped fome days near to Boundbrook. Lord Cornwallis is alfo encamped at Brunswick on each fide of the Rariton, and upon the communication be tween that place and Amboy; Maj. Gen. Vaughan's corps being encamped at the latter place, making use of the tents of last year, the camp-equipage of the prefent not being yet arrived. His Lordfhip has alfo thrown a bridge over the Rariton at the town of Brunswick. By various accounts, received from the neighbourhood of Albany, there is rea fon to believe, fome advanced parties from the northern army have appeared at Crown-point, and that Sir Guy Carleton will be upon the lake early in June." Return of the fores, Ordnance, Provisions, &c. as nearly as could be ascertained, found at the rebels flores, and deftroyed by the King's troops at Danbury, &c. in Connecticut, April 17. At the bridge at the weft brace of Norwalk ri- Several chefts of arms. Return of the killed, wounded, and miffing, of the following corps on the 27th and 18th of April, pon the expedition under the command of Maj.-Gen. Tryon.j 4th reg. Capt. Thorne, 1 ferjeant, 15 rank and file, wounded; 2 rank and file milling. 15th 8 rank and file killed; Capt. Ditmas, Lieut. Haftings, of the 12th, acting as a volunteer, I ferjeant, 15 rank and file, wounded; 2 rank and file miffing. 23d. 5 rank and file killed; Sec. Lieut. Price, Volunteer Vale, 1 ferjeant, 18 rank and file, wounded; 10 rank and file mifling. 27th. 1 rank and file killed; Maj. Con Fan, Capt. Rutherford, Enf. Minchin, so rank and file, wounded; 6 rank and file missing. 44th. 3 rank and file killed; Maj. Hope, z ferjeants, 12 rank and file, wounded; drummer and fifer, 4 rank and file, mif fing. 64th. Capt. Calder, Enf. Mercer, 11 rank and file, wounded. 71ft. Capt. Simon Fraser, a volunteer, wounded. Prince of Wales's American volunteers, ■ drummer and fifer, 6 rank and file, killed; Col. Browne, Capt. Lyman and Seon, 3 ferjeants, 1 rank and file, wounded; 3 rank and file mifling. Total. I drummer and fifer, 23 rank and file, killed; 3 field-officers, 6 captains, 3 fubalterns, 9 ferjeants, 92 rank and file, wounded; I drummer and fifer, 27 rank and file, mifling. Royal Artillery. 2 additionals killed; 3 matroffes, wheeler, wounded; i maross mifting. W. How E. Return of the rebels killed and wounded on the 27th and 18th of April 1777, in Connecticut, by the detachment under the command of Maj.Gen. Tryon. Killed: General Woofer, Colonel Goold, Colonel Lamb of the Artillery, Colonel Henman, Dr Atwater, a man of confiderable influence, Captain Cooe, Lieutenant Thompson, 100 privates. Wounded: Colonel Whiting, Captain Benjamin, Lieutenant Cone, 250 Private. Taken: 50 private, including feveral committec-mea. Royal Amer. Gaz. May 1. In confequence of information received of the rebels having collected rge magazines at Danbury, in Connecticut, a detach ment of 250 men from each of the following regiments, 4th, 15th, 23d, 27th, 44th, and 64th, a fubaltern's command of dragoons, 300 of Gov. Brown's corps, and fix three-pounders, under the command of Maj.-Gen. Tryon, and Brig. Gens Agnew and Sir William Erfkine, proceeded up the Eaft river, and on Friday evening laft, at fix o'clock, landed at Compo point, near Norwalk. The debarkation being completed about ten, the troops got in motion, and after a march of twenty-five miles, arrived without oppofition at Danbury, at three o' clock on Saturday afternoon. The remainder of that day, and part of next morning, were employed in deftroying the ftores, which were found to exceed their expectation. At nine o'clock they began their march back to the shipping, and proceeded without interruption until they approached Ridgefield; where they found a body of the rebels, under the command of Mr Arnold, who had fortified the entrance of the town; which they carried after small oppofition, with confiderable lofs on the fide of the rebels; the rear repulfing another body, who attacked them at the fame time, under Mr Woofter. The troops continued their march next morning at four o'clock, the rebels firing on their flanks and rear, but from fuch a distance as to do them little injury. About half a mile from the ships, where the troops halted, part of the re bel-army, which confifted of at least 4000, kept up a heavy fire from behind ftone walls, whilft two columns made à fhew of attacking; but part of the de tachment charged them with fixed bayo. nets, and put them to a total rout, with confiderable flaughter. The troops, after remaining fome time upon the ground, imbarked with the greateft order and regularity, without further interruption from the rebels, who never fhewed themfelves more. - The fpirit and firmness fhewn by the troops on this occafion does them infinite honour.-The lofs fuftained was, 14 men killed, to officers and 80 men wounded, moft of them fightly." "Connecticut Journal, April 30. On Friday the 25th inftant twenty-fix fail of the enemy's fhips appeared off Norwalk iflands, ftanding in for Cedar point, where they anchored at four o'clock, p. m. and foon began landing troops. By ten o'clock they had landed two brigades, confifting of upwards of 2000 men, and marched immediately for Dan bury, bury, where they arrived next day at two o'clock, p. m. The handful of continental troops there were obliged to evacuate the town, having previously secured a part of the stores, provisions, &c. The enemy, on their arrival, began burning and defroying the stores, houses, provifions, &c. On the appearance of the enemy the country was alarmed. Early the next morning Brig. Gen. Silliman, with about 500 militia, all that were collected, purfued the enemy. At Reading he was joined by Maj.-Gen. Woofter and Brig. Gen. Arnold. The heavy rain all the afternoon retarded the march of our troops fo much, that they did not reach Bethel (a village two miles from Danbury) till eleven o'clock at night, much fatigued, and their arms rendered useless by being wet. It was thought prudent to refresh the men, and attack the enemy on their return. Early the next morning (which proved rainy) the whole were in motion; 200 men remained with Gen. Woofter, and about 400 were detached under Gen. Arnold and Gen. Silliman, on the road leading to Norwalk. At nine o'clock, a. m. intelligence was received, that the enemy had taken the road leading to Norwalk; of which Gen. Woolter was advifed, and pursued them; with whom he came up about eleven o'clock; when a fmart fkirmish enfued, in which Gen. Woofter, who behaved with great intrepidity, unfortunately received a wound by a musket-ball through the groin, which, it is feared, will prove mortal, Gen. Arnold, by a forced march across the country, reached Ridgefield at eleven o'clock; and having pofted his small party (being joined by about 100 men) of 500 men, waited the approach of the enemy, who were foon discovered advancing in a column, with three fieldpieces in front, and three in rear, and large flank-guards of near 200 men in each. At noon they began discharging their artillery, and were foon within musket-fhot; when a fmart action enfued between the whole, which continued about an hour, in which our men behaved with great spirit; but being overpowered by numbers, were obliged to give way, though not until the enemy were raifing a finall breast-work, thrown across the way, at which Gen. Arnold had taken poft with about 200 men, (the reft of our small body were posted on the flank), who acted with great fpirit. The General had his horfe fhot under him when the enemy were within about ten yards of him, but luckily received no hurt: recovering himself, he drew his piftol, and shot the foldier who was advancing with his fixed bayonet. He then ordered his troops to retreat through a fhower of small and grape shot. In this action the enemy fuffered very confiderably, leaving about thirty dead and wounded upon the ground, befides a number unknown buried. Here we had the misfortune of lofing Lt-Col. Gould, one fubaltern, and several privates killed and wounded. It was found impoffible to 'rally our troops; and Gen. Arnold ordered a stand to be made at Sagatuck's bridge, where it was expected the enemy would pass. At nine o'clock a.m. the 28th, about 500 men were collected at Sagatuck bridge, including part of two companies of Col. Lamb's battalion of artillery, with three field-pieces, under command of Lt-Col. Ofwald, one field-piece, with part of the artillery-company from Fairfield, fixty continental troops, and three companies of volunteers from New-Haven, with whom Gen3 Arnold and Silliman took poft about two miles above the bridge. Soon after the enemy appeared in fight, their rear was attacked by Col. Huntington, (commanding a party of 500 men), who fent to Gen. Arnold for inftructions, and for fome officer to affift him. Gen. Silliman was ordered to his affiftance. The enemy, finding our troops advantageously posted, made a halt; and, after fome little time, wheel. ed off to the left, and forded Sagatuck river three miles above the bridge. Gen. Arnold obferving this motion, ordered the whole to march directly to the bridge, in order to attack the enemy in flank; Gen. Silliman, at the fame time, to attack their rear. The enemy, by running full speed, had paffed the bridge on Fairfield fide with their main body, before our troops could pafs it. Gen. Silliman, finding it impoffible to overtake the enemy in their route, proceeded to the bridge. When the whole were formed, they marched in two columns, with two field-pieces on the right, the other on the left of the enemy, when a smart fkirmish and firing of field-pieces enfued, which continued about three hours. The enemy, having gained the high hill of Compo, feveral attempts were made to diflodge them; but with out out effect. The enemy landed a number of fresh troops to cover their imbarkation, which they effected a little before fun-fet, weighed anchor immediately, and ftood acrofs the found for Huntingdon on Long island. Our lofs cannot exactly be afcertained, no return being made. It is judged to be about fixty killed and wounded. Among the killed are, one lieutenantcolonel, one captain, four fubalterns, and Dr Atwater of this place; his death is greatly lamented by his acquaintance. Among the number wounded are, Col. John Lamb (of the artillery), Anar Bradley and Timothy Gorham, volunteers from New-Haven, not mortally wounded. The enemy's lofs is judged to be more than double our number, and about twenty prifoners." "New York, May 29. Gen. Washing ton has caufed the following account of the late affair at Danbury to be published in all the Connecticut papers. · On Saturday the 26th of April, exprefs came to Danbury from Brig.-Gen. Silliman, advifing that a large body of the enemy had landed the day before at fun-fet, at Campo, a point of land between Fairfield and Norwalk, and were marching towards Danbury. Measures were im mediately taken to remove the moft vaJuable ftores; which was in part effected. At a little after one o'clock the fame day the enemy entered Danbury with about 2000 men, and a number of field-pieces, under the command of Gov. Tryon. As there were only 50 continental troops, and about as many militia, in Danbury, the former with a cartridge or two each, it was not thought prudent to make any ftand, as from the circumftances of the ground, and difparity of numbers, they must have fallen into the enemy's hands; they therefore retreated to the heights north of the town. Ten o'clock Sunday, they were joined by more militia, and 140 continental troops from Maffachufet's, under Lt. Col Smith, but without any ammunition; happily, however, there foon arrived 2000 cartridges from Peek's-kill; upon which a difpofition was made to harafs the enemy, until a fufficient reinforcement should come in to make a vigorous attack. In the mean while the enemy burnt about twenty houses and stores, more than 1000 barrels of pork, as many tents, and many other valuable articles. At half after ten they left the town by the Peek's-kill road, in great hafte. Gen. Woofter, who had followed them to Danbury with a fmall body of militia, pursued them with the continental troops and militia, and overtook their rear in Ridgebury; when a skirmish ensued, and continued in a loose scattering fire until night. The next day it commenced again at Wilton, and continued by intermiffion until they imbarked at the place where they landed. Gen. Arnold attacked them in front, with a party of militia, at Ridgefield, and again near Segatuck-bridge, which obliged them to alter their route, and ford the river instead of croffing the bridge. The enemy's lofs was at leaft 100 killed, wounded, and taken: ours about 60, among which are Gen. Woofter, Col. Lamb of the artillery, Major Crane of the militia, and one captain wounded; Lt-Col. Gould of the mili tia, four lieutenants, one surgeon killed." "London, June 30. By a letter of a late date from America, the accounts of Col. Campbell's being liberated from prifon [249.] are confirmed. He is allowed to ftay in the gaoler's houfe, and to walk in a fmall garden, but never without fome perfon attending him." According to later advices, the Colonel is on his parole, as formerly. "N. Y. Gaz. March 23. The Brune frigate, Capt. Ferguson, is arrived at New York from Chesapeak bay, with five prizes; one of which is a fine new ship, laden with above 700 hogsheads of tobacco from Baltimore, on the congrefs account, valued at 23,000l. Sterling." Happening, in our laft [248, 9.1, to give Gen. Howe's proclamation (offer ing certain quantities of land to noncommiffioned officers and foldiers) from a mutilated copy, we now infert the laft paragraph, which was wanting, viz. fub "The fame to be granted to fuch of the faid non-commiffioned officers and foldiers as fhall perfonally apply for the fame, by the Governor of the respective colonies, without fee or reward; ject, at the expiration of ten years, to the fame quit-rents as other lands are fubject to in the province within which they fhall be granted, and fubject to the fame conditions of cultivation and improvement.” An Anfwer to the Declaration of Independence [242.], now concluded. A short review of the Declaration. IN examining this fingular Declaration, I have hitherto confined myself to what are given as facts, and alledged againft his Majefty and his parliament, in fupport of the charge of tyranny and ufurpation. Of the preamble I have taken little or no notice. The truth is, little or none does it deferve. The opihions of the modern Americans on government, like thofe of their good anceftors on witchcraft, would be too ridiculous to deserve any notice, if, like them too, contemptible and extravagant as they be, they had not led to the moft ferious evils. In this preamble however it is, that they attempt to establish a theory of government; a theory as abfurd and vifionary, as the fyftem of conduct in defence of which it is established is nefarious. Here it is, that maxims are advanced in juftification of their enterprifes against the British government. To thefe maxims, adduced for this purpose, it would be fufficient to fay, that they are repugnant to the British conftitution. But beyond this, they are fubverfive of every actual or imaginable kind of government. They are about "to affume," as they tell us, 16 among the powers of the earth, that equal and separate station to which"-they have lately discovered "the laws of Nature, and of Nature's God, entitle them [xxxviii. 433.]." What difference thefe acute legiflators fuppofe between the laws of Nature, and of Nature's God, is more than I can take upon me to determine, or even to guefs, If to what they now demand they were intitled by any law of God, they had only to produce that law, and all controverfy was at an end. Instead of this, what do they produce? What they call felf-evident truths. "All men," they tell us, "S are created equal." This furely is a new discovery; now, for the first time, we learn, that a child, at the moment of his birth, has the fame quantity of natural power as the parent, the fame quantity of political power as the magiftrate. The rights of life, liberty, and the parfuit of happiness," by which, if they mean any thing, they muft mean, the right to enjoy life, to enjoy liberty, VOL. XXXIX. and to pursue happiness - they « hold This they hold to be unalienable." to be among truths felf-evident." At the fame time, to fecure these rights, they are content that governments should be inftituted. They perceive not, or will not feem to perceive, that nothing which can be called government ever was, or ever could be, in any inftance, exercifed, but at the expence of one or other of thofe rights;-that, confequently, in as many inftances as government is ever exercised, fome one or other of these rights, pretended to be unalienable, is actually alienated. That men who are engaged in the defign of fubverting a lawful government, fhould endeavour, by a cloud of words, to throw a veil over their defign; that they should endeavour to beat down the criteria between tyranny and lawful government,-is not at all furprifing. But rather furprising it muft certainly appear, that they should advance maxims fo incompatible with their own prefent conduct. If the right of enjoying life be unalienable, whence came their inva fion of his Majefty's province of Canada? whence the unprovoked destruction of fo many lives of the inhabitants of that province? If the right of enjoying liberty be unalienable, whence came fo many of his Majefty's peaceable fubjects among them, without any offence, without fo much as a pretended offence, merely for being fufpected not to wifh well to their enormities, to be held by them in durance? If the right of pur. fuing happinefs be unalienable, how is it that fo many others of their fellow-citizens are by the fame injuftice and violence made miferable, their fortunes ruined, their perfons banished, and driven from their friends and families? Or would they have it believed, that there is in their felves fome fuperior fanctity, fome peculiar privilege, by which thofe things are lawful to them, which are unlawful to all the world befides? Or is it, that among acts of coercion, acts by which life or liberty are taken away, and the pursuit of happinefs reftrained, thofe only are unlawful, which their delinquency has brought upon them, and which are exercised by regular, long-eftablished, accustomed governments? In these tenets they have outdone the utmost extravagance of all former fana tics. The German Anabaptifts indeed went |