The Newport Gazette

PROVIDENCE, Feb. 15.

Extract of a Letter from a general officer in the army of the United States of America, dated Morris Town, Jan. 28.

I am well informed, by Col. a gentleman of Philadelphia, that the enemy left, at their evacuation. of Elizabeth Town, a large number of Leases, wherein every man that took protection within Sixty days, agreeable to the proclamation issued the 30th of November last, by Lord and Gen. Howe, were to hold their lands under the King: and to give his Farm in, (by him appointed) the refusal of all the grain and other produce. at certain prices, to be fixed by him; and every man that sold his estate in any state, to pay one fourth of the sale, for the benefit of the Crown: Every man that did not submit within sixty days, his estate to be confiscated, and the proprietors to hold the lands immediately under the King, during his pleasure. A strict search is making after these leases, but as the information did not come to the general till some days after the enemy had left the town, I fear the tories remaining there have destroyed them. This seems to resemble the ancient feudal conjuration from Col.-one character, I have no doubt of the truth of the information, although we may not be able to prove it by the leases. which I am in hopes will still come to light.