SATURDAY 13th. JULY.

This Morning the Captains of the Fleet waited on the Admiral [Howe], and received his Lordship’s Orders. They acquainted us, that General Burgoyne is coming down to Albany with the Army under his Command, together with 1000 Indians; and that they had overtaken the Rebels, who had penetrated into Canada, driven them into a Swamp, and put above 500 of them to the Sword. The Troops hold them very cheap, and long for an opportunity of revenging the Cause of their Countrymen, who fell at Bunker’s Hill.

The Congress have at length thought it convenient to throw off the Mask. Their Declaration of the 4th. of July, while it avows their Right to Independence, is founded upon such Reasons only, as prove that Independence to have been their Object from the Beginning. A more imprudent, false and atrocious Proclamation was never fabricated by the Hands of Man. Hitherto, they had thrown all the Blame and Insult upon the Parliament and ministry: Now, they have the Audacity to calumniate the King and People of Great Britain. ‘Tis impossible to read this Paper, without Horror at the daring Hypocrisy of these Men, who call GOD to witness the uprightness of their Proceedings, nor without Indignation at the low and scurrilous Pretences by wch they attempt to justify themselves. Surely, Providence will honor its own Truth and Justice upon this Occasion, and, as they have made an appeal to it for Success, reward them after their own Deservings.

I heard likewise, that Lieut. [Henry] Stanhope has run from his Parole of Honor, wch he had given to the Rebels on being taken Prisoner, and that they have advertised him in the New York Papers.

Genl. Howe and three of his Aides de Camp dined with the Admiral [Howe] on board the Eagle, and continued on board till late in the Evening. The Discourse chiefly turned upon military Affairs, upon the Country, and upon the Rebels. The Army seem to be actuated by one Spirit, and impatiently wait for the Arrival of the Hessians & other Troops.

Govr. Tryon also came on board, to whom I delivered a Packet I had in Charge for him, who recd. it & the Bearer with his usual Politeness.

By a perspective Glass, we have a distinct View of the Rebels’ Encampments, of the Town of New York, and of Hudson’s River for a considerable Space beyond the Town. The Rebels appeared very numerous, & are supposed to be near 30,000; but from the Mode of raising them, no great matters are to be expected, especially when their loose Discipline is considered.