Letter from General Livingston to General Washington

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GENERAL LIVINGSTON TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Elizabethtown, July 6, 1776.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: This moment an express arrived from Major Duyckinck, a copy of whose letter I enclose, to save time. I should be glad of some immediate directions what to do with the prisoners, as in the mean time I am obliged to keep them under guard. I am acquainted with but one of them, John Smyth, Esq˙, who is a man of so great integrity that I think great faith may be given to his word. If they are to remain in this Province, I know of nothing that can be done with them so conveniently as to forward them on to the Convention, who can provide for their safekeeping. The internal Counties are now so destitute of men that I should think it dangerous to trust these prisoners there; nor do I know in whom in those parts to put sufficient confidence to intrust their safekeeping.

I am under the greatest difficulty with regard to ammunition. The whole back militia being unprovided with ammunition, I am prevented from sending such detachments to particular places as I think necessary, for want of powder and ball.

Since writing the above, Captain Kennedy and Mr˙ Cuyler are sent in prisoners from Newark.

I have the honour to be, your Excellency' s most humble servant,
WILLIAM LIVINGSTON.

To His Excellency General Washington.

P˙ S˙ In consequence of Major Duyckinck' s letter, I have detached two hundred and fifty men to him from the Hunterdon and Morris Militia.