THE COMMITTEE OF SECRET CORRESPONDENCE TO WILLIAM BINGHAM AT MARTINIQUE. Baltimore, 1st February, 1777. Sir, As we shall write you shortly again, our attention at present will be confined chiefly to your favor of December 6th, 1776, in which you mention the conduct of Captain Patterson. We have laid your letter before Congress, and they have appointed a committee to consider of the most proper steps to be taken in this business, that speedy and condign punishment may be applied to Captain Patterson, when his crime shall be duly inquired into and established. The Congress having an utter abhorrence of all irregular and culpable violation of the law of nations, and of that respect and friendship, which they entertain for the French nation, we wish you would communicate this to their Excellencies the Governor and General of Martinique. Congress has referred the matter of remittance for discharge of the obligation, which you and Mr Harrison have entered into, to the State of Maryland, from whence you will no doubt receive remittance, as soon as the British ships of war now in the Chesapeake Bay will permit. It is a singular misfortune to us, and very injurious to the commerce of France, that we have not two or three line of battle ships, which, with our frigates and armed vessels, would keep open our navigation in despite of Great Britain, but at present one heavy ship affords protection to two or three frigates, that would otherwise be easily removed, and they place themselves so as to shut up the entrance into our principal trading States. Prior to the Declaration of Independence, as it was not certain how soon our quarrel with Great Britain might be at an end, our armies were enlisted for short periods, and General Howe, having received information of the time, when the troops would have it in their power to go home, seized that opportunity for marching through the Jerseys; but his career was stopped at the Delaware, and he has since paid severely for that visit. Since the 24th of December, the enemy have lost more than two thousand men in killed and made prisoners, they have been glad to recall their troops from Rhode Island to defend New York from the attack of an army under General Heath, and their whole force in the Jerseys is now collected on the Brunswick Heights, where they are nearly surrounded by General Washington's army, and greatly distressed for forage, fuel, and other necessaries. We enclose you the late newspapers for your perusal, and remain, sir, your most obedient humble servants. B. HARRISON, R. H. LEE. * * * * * THE COMMITTEE OF SECRET CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COMMISSIONERS. Baltimore, 2d February, 1777. Gentlemen,