The Freeman's Journal, Or, New Hampshire Gazette

NEW-YORK, August 29.

The following is the substance of an intercepted letter written by Lieutenant-Colonel Zedwitz. To William Tryon, Esq; late Governor of New York.

After presenting his compliments in a formal manner to Lord Howe, and begging the contents of his letter to be explained to him; he proceeds to profess a consciousness, that the world would censure him for his treachery in corresponding with the enemy of those in whose service he had engaged: But he apologizes for himself by appealing to the Governor, as a person who knew he had been forced to accept of his commission for fear of ruin to himself and family; and as he had engaged through Compulsion (a most villanous lie, for he solicited for it) from a rebellious mob, infers that he can be under no obligation to conform to his engagements.

Besides this he observes, that previous to his entrance in the continental army, he took the Governor's advice on the occasion, and promised to do all he could in his new capacity, for his majesty's service.

He next declares that ever since his return from Canada, he had been laying plans for the performance of his promise, and was in a fair way of doing something, when Forbes and the Mayor were detected in their conspiracy, which obliged him to lay by his schemes; as Forbes had indiscreetly mentioned to the court on his tryal, a message from Governor Tryon to him, to wit,

"that he would make his fortune, if he would execute a certain commission."

This he says, rendered him suspected, and for the present frustrated his designs.—However, as an instance that he was returning into favour, he informs the Governor that G. W. had lately employed him to translate a paper into High German, which was to be printed and distributed among the Hessian troops.

—He advises to keep a good look out.

In the next paragraph he invents this abominable falsehood, that he had lately seen four villains at General Washington's House, with 14 bottles of a mixture as black as ink, with which they were to poison the watering place on Staten-Island, and were to receive a recompence of 1000l. each from the General.

He then informs, that a person always near the General, who was a friend to the king's though an interested one, had offered to furnish him with weekly returns of the strength and detail of the army till December, for the sum of 4,000l. sterling, to be paid before hand in hard gold.—that he had proposed a reward of 2,000l. sterling, which was agreed to, and he therefore desires, (if the plan be agreeable) that the money might be immediately conveyed to him.

He concludes with informing them, that he shortly expected a full colonel's commission, with the command of the three forts up the North-River.

The wickedness of this despicable man was discovered by the person whom he engaged to convey his letter.—He endeavoured to debauch one Steen, who being a German, in but indifferent circumstances and unemployed in our service, he imagined wou'd be a proper instrument for his purpose. But Steen perceiving his intention, and being an honest man, and a friend to the country, only amused him with a seeming compliance, till he got his letter into his hands; and then, without delay, laid it before the General.

Zedwitz on his trial acknowledged the letter to be his own, but pleaded that it was intended merely as a trick upon the enemy, to exact from them 2,000l. sterling in lieu of certain expences he had put himself to in raising a regiment in Germany, at the request of the Marquis of Granby, for which he had never been reimbursed.

The verdict of the Court Martial is not yet known, but 'tis supposed he will suffer according to the demerit of his crime.