We come not, Sir, to dictate--whether peace can be preserved with the safety of our national dignity, or whether an appeal is to be made to arms, are questions intrusted to those in whose patriotism we confide, and according to their decision we shall always be prepared to act. But, Sir, at this eventful period, we deem it our duty, and feel it a pleasure, respectfully to approach our Commander-in-Chief, and to make him a solemn proffer of our lives and fortunes in the service of our country. It is not, Sir, for soldiers to boast; but we know the troops whom we have the honor to command; we have been eye witnesses to their zeal in the cause of freedom; we have been their companions in many toils and many sufferings, and if our beloved country calls, we shall again cast the eye of confidence along their embattled ranks. Let our enemies flatter themselves that we are a divided people. In New Jersey, Sir, with the exception of a few degraded and a few deluded characters, to whose persons and to whose services the invading foe shall be welcome the moment of their arrival, and whom we engage to convey in safety to their lines--in New Jersey, Sir, there is but ONE VOICE, and that is the voice of confidence in the federal government: the voice of perfect satisfaction with your administration of it; and the voice of firmness and determination to support the laws and constitution, the honor and dignity of the United States; and, Sir, for the defence of these, we do this day, in the presence of the God of armies, and in firm reliance in his protection, solemnly pledge to you our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. COMMANDER IN CHIEF AND GENERAL STAFF OFFICERS Richard Howell, _Commander-in-Chief_. Anthony W. White, _Adjutant-General_. D. Woodruff, _Sec’ry to Commander-in-Chief_. R. Boggs, _Judge Advocate_. Aaron Ogden, } J. Rhea, } Mark Thompson, } _Aids to Commander-in-Chief_. Aaron Dunham, } B. Loyd, } John Lacey, } Wm. Wykoff, } James F. Armstrong, } John Croes, } _Chaplains to Commander-in-Chief_. John Neilson, _Paymaster General_. James Schureman, _Quarter-Master Gen._ Thomas Lowry, _Commissary General_. N. Belleville, _Physician General_. Moses Scott, _Surgeon General_. Charles Smith, _Surgeon of Cavalry_. MAJOR GENERALS Elias Dayton, Wm. Helmes, F. Frelinghuysen, Joseph Bloomfield. BRIGADIER GENERALS John N. Cumming, Richard Dey, John Doughty, James Giles, Elisha Lawrence, John F. Morris, Clarkson Edgar, John Hilt, Joseph Brearly, Franklin Davenport, John Heard, A. V. Middlesworth, Wm. Todd, Clement Wood, John Hardenburgh, Wm. M’Kussack, John Frelinghuysen, Gershom Dunn, Samuel Morford, John Baird, J. Veghte, Andrew Lyle. LIEUT. COLONELS