“Morristown, January 1st, 1780. A new year commences, but brings no relief to the sufferings and privations of our army. Our canvass covering affords but a miserable security from storms of rain and snow, and a great scarcity of provisions still prevails, its effects being felt even at headquarters, as appears by the following anecdote: ‘We have nothing but the rations to cook, Sir,’ said _Mrs. Thomson_, a very worthy _Irish woman_, and _housekeeper_ to _General Washington_. ‘Well, Mrs. Thomson, you must then cook the rations, for I have not a farthing to give you.’ ‘If you please, Sir, let one of the gentlemen give me an order for six bushels of salt.’ ‘Six bushels of salt for what?’ ‘To preserve the fresh beef, Sir.’ One of the aids gave the order and the next day his Excellency’s table was amply provided. Mrs. Thomson was sent for, and told that she had done very wrong to expend her own money, for it was not known when she could be repaid. ‘I owe you,’ said his Excellency, ‘too much already to permit the debt being increased, and our situation is not at this moment such as to induce sanguine hope.’ ‘Dear Sir,’ said the good old lady, ‘it is always darkest just before the daylight, and I hope your Excellency will forgive me for bartering the salt for other necessaries which are now on the table.’ Salt was eight dollars a bushel, and it might always be exchanged with the country people for articles of provision.” [Illustration: HON. JAMES CUNNINGHAM. Of Portland, Me. Vice-President of the Society for Maine. ] CUMBERLAND COUNTY, N. J. Baptist Church at Cohansey. As early as the year 1683 some Baptists from Tipperary, in Ireland, settled in the neighborhood of Cohansey. The most prominent persons were David Sheppard, Thomas Abbott, and William Button. Emigrants flocked into Cohansey from Ireland and it is very probable that a Presbyterian Society was formed about the year 1700 or earlier. Rev. Robert Kelsey, who was from Ireland, used to preach for the Baptists. THE FIRST CENSUS OF THE UNITED STATES. SOME POINTED COMMENTS ON THE MANNER OF TAKING SAME AND THE RESULTS THEREOF. AN INTERESTING PAPER ON A SUBJECT NOT HERETOFORE TOUCHED BY THE SOCIETY. BY MICHAEL J. O’BRIEN OF NEW YORK CITY, AUTHOR OF “A GLANCE AT SOME PIONEER IRISH IN THE SOUTH,” IN VOLUME VII OF THE JOURNAL, AND OF MANY OTHER WORKS OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH.