Friday, January 17th, 1777.-This day the old brigade was paraded on the ice, and had 9 rounds of damaged cartridges without balls given them, which were fired away as the different kinds of firing went through. The day was excessive cold, yet we continued on the ice for near four hours, and were then dismissed.

Saturday, January 18th, 1777.-Lt. Cooper of the first came on board.

Sunday, January 19th, 1777.--Two of our men were ordered out on the scout with the others of the regiment. Major Barber seemed very snarling because our men did not do enough duty, when in truth he cannot deny but he has favored every company more than ours. News of the success of Gen. Washington over the enemy in the Jerseys, for which the regiment was called together and informed.

Monday, January 20th, 1777.--I hear that Col. Wayne is promoted to Brigadier-General, but believe it is a joke.

The news received yesterday from the Jerseys, is of such a salutary nature as to revive one's spirits afresh.

Tuesday, January 21st, 1777.—I spent much of the day in the gun room examining and putting to rights the cartridges, several of which we found damaged.

Wednesday, January 22d, 1777.--Spent the day on board writing, exercising cannon, &c. Towards evening went up and played a few games of whist with some of the officers. Part of Col. Wood's Regiment preparing to march off the ground to morrow morning.

Thursday, January 23d, 1777.--Hear that Major Barber in tends ordering us on shore for others to come on board, fearing, I suppose, our men cannot have fatigue and guard enough without driving them from pillow to post.

The above was verified, for about 10 o'clock Lt. Mott and Ensign Stout, the effectives of Capt. Patterson's Company, came down with orders from Major Barber to take post on board, and for me immediately to resume my former post in the battalion, which I put in execution, though at the same time thought it, as it really appears, very hard. Came and took lodging at Sharp's -played whist till 12 o'clock, and then went to bed.

[To be Continued.]

1

THE SOCIETY met at 12 o'clock at the Library Hall. The Hon. JAMES PARKER, third Vice President, took the chair in the ab. sence of the President, who was unavoidably prevented from being present by professional engagements.

After the minutes of the last meeting were read and approved, the Corresponding Secretary made his report, and laid upon the table letters from the Rev. SAMUEL W. FISHER, of Cincinnati; Rev. J. T. HEADLEY, of New York; Rev. J. B. CONDIT, D. D. ; H. F. CONDICT, M. D., of Washington City; Messrs. ROBERT G. RANKIN and WM. F. OAKEY, of New York,-in acknowledgment of their election as honorary, corresponding or resident members: -from Rev. Drs. DEWITT and HIGBEE, Rev. SAM'L. L. SOUTHARD, and Hon. J. P. PHENIX, of New York, regretting their inability to accept the invitation of the Society to participate in the proceedings of the day:-from Mr. O. W. MORRIS, of New York, accompanying a donation to the Library, from the Historical Societies of Pennsylvania, Virginia and New York, the American Antiquarian Society, and from sundry persons in relation to the business and transactions of the Society.

In accordance with the directions of the Society at its last meeting, he had transmitted to Mr. A. Vattemare, in furtherance of his system of International Exchanges, 3 copies of the Society's collections, 2 vols. each: 5 copies of the Life of Lord Stirling: 5 copies of the Proceedings of the Society, each 2 vols. and 5 copies of Bishop Doane's Address-The Constitution and By-Laws of the Society, and the Statistics of the New Jersey State Prison: -in all twenty-one volumes and fifteen pamphlets.

In accordance with the resolution adopted at the last meeting, circulars had been sent to the Executives of the different States, under the direction of the President, soliciting their aid in procuring from their respective Legislatures, their laws and published documents for the library of the Society.

As acting Librarian, he reported that 48 volumes had been added to the Library since January by purchase: and by donation 30 volumes, 24 pamphlets and a few manuscripts.

The Treasurer, Mr. JAMES Ross, reported a balance in the Treasury of $426 33; and the sum of $1,513 68 due from the members for admission fees and annual dues.

Judge DUER, from the Committee on Publications, reported that in accordance with the directions of the Society, they had caused the quarterly publication to be sent to the members generally, and they had the pleasure to state that but few indicated a disinclination to receive it.

Presuming that all those who did not return the publication considered themselves as subscribers therefor, the Committee feel authorized to announce to the Society that its continuance is in consequence rendered certain.

The first number of the 3d volume is now passing through the press, and the Committee hoped that the members generally would use their influence to extend its circulation beyond that of the previous volumes.

They also reported, that Bishop Doane had generously placed at the disposal of the Society for distribution among the members, another edition of the Annual Address delivered by him, which he had had printed at his own expense.

Mr. WM. B. KINNEY, from the Committee on Purchases, reported that since the last meeting several works of value had been added to the library at comparatively small expense, and that hereafter, as it was probable the Society would soon be in posses sion of their permanent rooms, purchases would be made syste. matically as opportunities might offer or the funds of the Society allow.

Mr. W. A. WHITEHEAD, from the Committee on Statistics, stated that the application to the Legislature for the adoption of meas. ures to insure systematic returns of the Criminal Statistics of the State, had been pressed at the last session, but no action had been taken thereon. Another act, however, had been passed which would prove of essential service in perfecting the system of State statistics-that providing for the Registration of Births, Marriages and Deaths.

None of the members of the Committee on Colonial Documents being present, the Corresponding Secretary reported, that the application of the legislature, which the Committee were authorized to present, had been referred to a Committee of the House of Assembly, but that no farther action had been taken. He laid before the Society a communication he had made to the Governor, embodying information received by Mr. James G. King from Mr. J. R. Brodhead in London, relative to the New Jersey Colonial papers. From this it appeared that of the volumes of MSS. in the State Paper office referring to America, there were 55 volumes referring exclusively to New Jersey, and that a large number of papers also connected with the affairs of the Province were scattered through 139 other volumes. Among these valuable documents were the minutes of the Council and Assembly entire, for the whole period of our provincial history: which would be of great interest, as those in possession of the State are very imperfect. Whereupon,

On motion of Mr. Joux RUTHERFUR RD

Resolved, That the Committee on the application to the Legis lature respecting the Colonial Documents, be continued in charge of that duty, and that the Corresponding Secretary and Mr. Martin J. Ryerson be added to their number.

Dr. MURRAY, from the Com. on Nominations, reported favorably upon a number of names, and on balloting, 16 Resident, 4 Corresponding, and 4 Honorary members were elected-and new nominations received.

The Chairman laid before the Society a letter from the Newark Library Association stating that the room appropriated for the use of its library would be ready for occupancy in a few weeks, and that the Hall was prepared for the meetings and services of the Society.

On motion of Dr. MURRAY, it was ordered on file, and directed to be entered on the minutes.

On motion of Mr. Wм. B. KINNEY,

Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed by the Chair for the purpose of preparing the room,-placed at the disposal of the Society for the accommodation of their library by the Newark Library Association,-for the proper reception and arrangement. of the books; and that the sum of two hundred dollars is hereby appropriated for the purchase of the necessary fixtures and ap purtenances of the library.

Resolved, That the Treasurer pay the said sum, as required, to the Chairman of said Committee on the receipt of the proper vouchers.

The Chair appointed as the Committee Messrs. Kinney, Gifford, Bradley, S. H. Pennington, and Whitehead.

Dr. MURRAY gave notice of an intended alteration in the ByLaws, to be acted on at the next meeting, substituting some other day than the fourth Thursday in May for the meeting at Newark.

Dr. M. said, that although the time had been fixed with the view of making it most convenient to the members of the Bar of Essex County, who at times were always in attendance upon Court, yet in practice, the time, from that very circumstance, proved most inauspicious-hence the proposition to change the day.

The Corresponding Secretary requested to be relieved from the charge of the Library which had been intrusted to him during the last two years, and suggested the propriety of appointing a permanent Librarian ;-whereupon Dr. SAMUEL H. PENNINGTON was nominated and duly elected to that office.

On motion of Mr. R. S. Field, it was resolved, that the next meeting of the Society shall be held at Princeton, on Wednesday, September 27th.

The Rev. Dr. MURRAY then read a Biographical sketch of Rev. James Caldwell, of Elizabethtown.

On motion of Mr. J. P. BRADLEY,

Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be presented to Dr. Murray for the spirited and interesting sketch of the Rev. Mr. Caldwell which he has read, and that he be requested to place a copy of it at the disposal of the Society.

Mr. W. A. WHITEHEAD presented in behalf of Mrs. Gertrude Parker, of Perth Amboy, a portrait of Colonel William Skinner, a brother of Cortland Skinner, Attorney General of the Province before the Revolution.

He was the third son of the Rev. William Skinner, of Perth Amboy. He entered the Provincial military service early in life, and served as a Captain in the French war under Colonel Peter Schuyler, participating in all the trials and dangers of the campaigns of 1755 and 1756-was made a prisoner of war at Oswego in August of the latter year and taken prisoner to France, where he remained until May, 1757, when he was allowed to go to England on parole, and in the course of a few months effected an exchange through his intimacy with the family of Sir Peter Warren, whose widow was his first cousin.

Mr. W. read extracts from letters in his possession, showing the interest taken by Capt. Skinner in procuring subsistence for the Provincial troops, who, like himself, had been made prisoners of war, and arrived in England;-and, also, the course pursued to obtain promotion in the regular army.

Success attended his efforts; he was gazetted Captain, August